Dipl.-Kfm. Mag. Thomas Topf (DFIG)

Contact

DLGS, Würzburger Str. 35, room 212

Email:    t.topf[...]dlgs.ioer.de
Phone:  +49(0)351 / 463 42349
Fax:       +49(0)351 / 4679 212

Doctoral Thesis

Working title:
Efficiency, quality and their determinants in the elderly care sector in Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Alexander Karmann

Abstract:
Estimates for the next twenty years suggest that demographic change will lead not only to a substantial increase in elderly persons in need of care but also to a simultaneous reduction in the availability of qualified labor. Thus, it is of major importance to identify the crucial determinants influencing efficient and high quality elderly care provision.
This dissertation consists of three papers. In the first paper the non-parametric method Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to evaluate the efficiency of nursing homes in Germany using panel data for the years 1999-2009. Regression techniques are subsequently applied to identify the determinants of variation in efficiency between facilities such as ownership, location and size. The second paper uses a similar approach to analyze the efficiency and its determinants for out-patient facilities in Germany for the years 1999-2009. The third paper incorporates quality of elderly care as measured by “Pflegenoten/care level” (a national healthcare evaluation schema) into the efficiency analysis. The incorporation of quality will shed some light on the interrelation between efficiency of care facilities and the quality of care provided. 
The dissertation contributes to the ongoing international discussion on the efficient and high quality provision of elderly care with the first comprehensive efficiency study of the German elderly care sector. Furthermore, recommendations pertaining to improved policy in the provision of efficient and high quality elderly care are expected.

CV

Education

Since 2010
Doctoral studies in Economics at the TU Dresden (completion expected December 2012)
07-12 2009
Research Assistant ,Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Dresden
04-06 2009
Research Assistant ,Chair for Economics, especially Monetary Economics, Faculty of Economics, Technische Universität Dresden
Academic Degree: “Diplom Kaufmann“ (Technische Universität Dresden / Germany), “Diplôme de Formation International à la gestion“ (of IECS-Strasbourg / France), “Dyplom Magisterski“ (of Jagiellonian University Cracow / Poland)
Diploma Thesis: Efficiency of the Statutory Health Insurance  in Germany
2006 - 2009
Studies in Economics at Dresden University of Technology / Germany
2005 - 2006
Studies in Finance and Human Resources Management at Jagiellonian University / Poland
2003 - 2004
Studies in International Management at  IECS-Strasbourg / France
2001 - 2003
Studies in Business Administration at Technische Universität Dresden / Germany

Awards

Since 01/2010
Scholarship holder at the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS)
11/2009   
Award of the Faculty of Economics of the Technische Universität Dresden for outstanding achievements in the field of Business Administration
12/2009   
"Viktor Klemperer Award” of the president of the Technische Universität Dresden for outstanding achievement as one of the best students in 2009

Research Interests

Health Economics, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Formal and Informal Care, Efficiency, Data Envelopment Analysis