The Luck of the Draw: The Causal Effect of Physicians on Birth Outcomes

This study examines how physician assignment affects birth outcomes using quasi-random variation in the allocation of doctors to deliveries. The authors estimate the causal impact of physician quality and practice patterns on maternal and infant health outcomes, providing evidence that individual physicians significantly influence birth outcomes beyond hospital-level effects. The findings contribute to understanding provider heterogeneity in healthcare quality and its implications for maternal and neonatal care policy.