Karen W. Hollingsworth

About

Karen W. Hollingsworth is a leading health economist whose research focuses on the cost-effectiveness and economic impact of advanced surgical technologies, particularly in cardiac care. Her most influential work critically examines the financial implications of adopting robotic-assisted surgery, challenging assumptions about its prohibitive expense. In her landmark 2005 study, cited over 130 times, she conducted a rigorous hospital cost analysis comparing robotic and conventional cardiac procedures, demonstrating that while robotic technology carries higher upfront costs, it can be economically viable when accounting for reduced morbidity and shorter recovery times. This work has become essential reading for hospital administrators and surgeons weighing the adoption of minimally invasive techniques. Hollingsworth’s research provides crucial evidence for healthcare decision-makers, bridging the gap between technological innovation and practical economic realities. Her contributions have shaped policy discussions around surgical robotics, ensuring that cost considerations are grounded in real-world data rather than speculation. Through her scholarship, she continues to influence how healthcare systems evaluate and implement expensive new technologies.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Does Robotic Technology Make Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Too Expensive? A Hospital Cost Analysis of Robotic and Conventional Techniques

   133 citations · 2005
2. 2
   Does robotic technology make minimally invasive cardiac surgery too expensive? A hospital cost analysis of robotic and conventional techniques

   2 citations · 2003

Key Collaborators

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