title: [Geographical inequalities in the distribution of general practitioners in Sweden].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate trends in the inequalities in the distribution of general practitioners in Sweden during the past fifteen years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relative inequality indicators. We plotted the Lorenz curves and calculated the Gini coefficients for the entire country during 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the past 15 years in all a declining trend was noted in the inequalities in the geographical distribution of general practitioners in Sweden, with the lowest level in 1996.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree of inequality in the geographical distribution of general practitioners appeared rather stable during the period, although with some increase in the final year studied. Since equality is part of quality, policy makers in all levels--national, regional and local--should pay attention as to how human resources are distributed.
authors.affiliation: Kretas universitet, hösten 2001 forskarstipendiat vid avdelningen för allmänmedicin, Hälsouniversitetet, Linköping.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mantzavinis
authors.forename: Pavlos N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Theodorakis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lionis
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trell
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice / Q000639:trends; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040841:Resource Allocation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016008:Statistical Distributions; D013548:Sweden; D000078329:Workforce