Busy physicians.
Numerous researchers have explored whether general practitioners compensate for a shortage of patients by providing more items of treatment. Empirical testing of this hypothesis often lacks a valid measure of the relevant patient population. In the Norwegian case, researchers have exploited the fact that most patients are registered on a patient list of one general practitioner. However, a significant number of patients move between physicians. We show that physicians with a deficit of patients on the list attract more external patients than those with a surplus of patients on the list. In contrast with previous research, we find no evidence of revenue compensation when consultations with external patients are taken into account.
Grytten
Jostein
J
Dental Faculty, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway. josteing@odont.uio.no
Sørensen
Rune
R
D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010820:Physicians / Q000191:economics; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016526:Workload