An Analysis of the Optimal Use of Inputs in the Production of Medical Services

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of employing "physicians' assistants" in delivering primary medical care. It seeks to identify the optimal role of paramedical personnel and to assess the impact of efficient delegation of tasks on the productivity of the physician, his opportunities for leisure, and the cost of care. The technical opportunities for delegation and the specific demands for medical services imposed on the primary care practice are identified. These data are then analyzed in an activity analysis model of the practice to identify and assess the implications of efficient patterns of delegation.