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Summary
Geographic maldistribution of US physicians is presumed, but evaluation methods vary. This study explores criteria like economic efficiency and health maximization, arguing health maximization is the most justifiable objective for physician distribution policy.
Area of Science:
- Health Policy
- Health Economics
- Medical Geography
Background:
- The US healthcare literature presumes geographic maldistribution of physicians.
- There is limited discussion on appropriate methods to evaluate physician location patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss four criteria for optimal geographic physician distribution: economic efficiency, health maximization, equalization of doctor/patient ratios, and equalization of health.
- To illustrate how different criteria imply varied physician distributions.
- To argue for health maximization as the most justifiable objective for policy decisions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of implicit criteria for physician distribution.
- Development of a simple example to demonstrate differing physician distributions based on chosen criteria.
Main Results:
- Four distinct criteria for evaluating physician geographic distribution were identified.
- The choice of criterion significantly impacts the implied optimal physician distribution.
- Economic efficiency, doctor/patient ratios, and health equalization yield different distribution patterns compared to health maximization.
Conclusions:
- The optimal geographic distribution of physicians depends critically on the chosen evaluation criterion.
- Health maximization is presented as the most justifiable objective for informing governmental health policy regarding physician distribution.