Estimating the need for additional primary care physicians

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Primary health care delivery systems are crucial for population health.
• Assessing physician supply and demand is essential for equitable healthcare distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the primary health care delivery system in Indiana using a systems approach.
• To determine the number of additional primary care physicians required in specific areas.

Main Methods:

• Estimating primary care physician output (office visits).
• Comparing physician output with service demand.
• Deriving indexes for demand, supply, cost, and need.

Main Results:

• Quantified the gap between primary care physician supply and demand across Indiana.
• Identified specific geographic areas with significant primary care physician shortages.
• Developed data-driven insights into primary care resource allocation.

Conclusions:

• Indiana requires a targeted increase in primary care physicians in underserved regions.
• Study findings inform strategies to encourage physicians to practice in needed areas.
• A systems approach provides a robust framework for healthcare resource assessment.