Abstract

This project aims at analyzing the relationships between innovative capacity and standardization of specialized health care providers. Specifically, we examine the potential trade-offs between building capacities for innovation and quality control through standardization. In 2003, the first certification program for organ cancer centers was implemented, aiming at the improvement of health care for cancer patients through quality certificates. At the same time, cancer care is constantly changing with new diagnosis and treatment methods resulting from the innovative capacity of hospitals and manufacturers of health technologies. Up to date, the relation between innovative capacity of specialized health care providers and their standardization through certification remains ambiguous. We will analyze variation in innovative capacity and standardization at organizational and regional level and over time in selected groups of organ cancer centers as well as the relationship of these measures with treatment outcomes.