Research seminar: Matthias Kifmann (University of Hamburg)

We would like to invite you to a research seminar by Matthias Kifmann, Professor of Economics at the University of Hamburg.

Title: *Reciprocity in Medical Treatment Decisions: A Theoretical Model and a Laboratory Experiment*

Authors: Malte Griebenow, Benedicta Hermanns, Philip Huynh, Mathias Kifmann, Johanna Kokot (University of Hamburg)

Abstract: This paper studies how reciprocal behavior affects treatment decisions in healthcare. We ask two questions: (i) Do physicians adjust their treatment effort in response to a patient’s decision to purchase an unrelated, out-of-pocket service? (ii) Do patients anticipate such reciprocity and strategically choose whether to buy? We develop a theoretical model of reciprocity in a healthcare context and test its predictions in a controlled laboratory experiment with medical and non-medical students. Physicians exert less effort for patients who declined the out-of-pocket service, showing negative reciprocity. Patients anticipate this and are more likely to purchase the service when physicians can observe their decision before, rather than after, deciding on the effort.

The seminar will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Room 206 at 18:30.

A preliminary version of the paper is attached.

If you need a discussion slot with Prof. Kifmann, please write to Jana Votapkova, and she will try to find a suitable time.

The list of all research seminars at IES (past and forthcoming) is available at: https://ies.fsv.cuni.cz/en/research/research-seminars