This paper examines the role of networks linking consultants in surgical innovation. Using a rich matched patient-consultant data set covering all relevant consultants during the period of innovation (2000-2014), we document heterogeneity in uptake over a network based on consultant mobility between hospitals. We decompose this heterogeneity into peer effects, network effects, and consultant, hospital and patient heterogeneity. We find positive peer effects in innovation, as well as an effect of the network through both the number of links (positive effect) that a consultant has and their proximity in the network to the nearest pioneer of the technique (positive effect). These effects are consistent with information flows through the network.

Professor Marisa Miraldo is Associate Professor in Health Economics at Imperial College Business School. She has been Associate Head of the Department of Management from 2016 -2018. In the past she has held academic appointments at the Centre for Health Economics and the Department of Economics and Related Studies both at the University of York. Marisa holds a PhD in economics from York University, a MSc in Economics and Finance from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a Master of Arts in Economics from Université Catholique de Louvain and a first degree in economics from Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

Marisa has a track record in leading multidisciplinary research in health economics and policy and collaboration with policy makers. Her expertise is on the economics and policy of healthcare innovation, the impact of policies on organisational performance and the behavioural determinants of decision making including health risky behaviour.

She is a fellow of Imperial College Data Science Institute and currently leads the Health Research stream at the Data Analytics Centre, as well as a Health Foundation funded research program on the determinants of the adoption of innovation for chronic conditions such as cancer, and cardiovascular disease. She is a member of the Health Parliament in Portugal.

She is part of several strategic groups namely the Nutrition and Food Network Strategy Group  and the  Vaccines strategy group at Imperial College London.

She has developed and led the executive education Advanced Management Programme in Health Innovation. She is also passionate about diversity and Chairs the Diversity Committee at Imperial College Business School.