The diffusion of physicians.
Physicians move from place to place over their careers; this is thought to reflect the economic theory that they seek better opportunities to practice. Using national data, this study tracked physician movement between counties classified by physician-to-population ratio and socioeconomic characteristics. Approximately one-quarter of practicing physicians moved in each of two ten-year periods, 1981-1991 and 1991-2001. The overall tendency of movers was to go to places with lower physician-to-population ratios but higher per capita incomes and lower unemployment. These trends, if they continue, may help decrease access to physician care in rural and urban underserved areas.
Ricketts
Thomas C
TC
American College of Surgeons Policy Research Institute, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, USA. tom_ricketts@unc.edu
Randolph
Randy
R
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States