Geographic Maldistribution Research Paper

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Geographic Maldistribution of The Physicians The term Physician maldistribution is used to refer to the surplus or shortage of physicians in terms of either the number (geographic maldistribution) and/or the type of physicians (specialty maldistribution) necessary to maintain the health status of a defined population (retrieved from Schoology Module 3 interactive lecture). The objective of this paper is to identify the determinants of geographical imbalances in the distribution of physician labor and to assess the strategies developed by U.S Government to correct them. Accessibility of health services is a multidimensional idea which is affected by geographical, economic (affordability), organizational and cultural (acceptability) factors, but I would like to focus on the geographical dimension, the availability of qualified personnel. Geographic maldistribution explained Geographical imbalance of physicians arises when there is inadequate supply to the existing demand in an area. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (2005) estimates that 20% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas; however, only 9% of physicians practice in these areas. Though U.S has excellent healthcare …show more content…

despite significant growth in the physician workforce and physician-to-population ratios (General Accounting Office, 2003). Maldistribution is influenced by personal, professional, organizational, economic, political and cultural factors. It is necessary to acknowledge the fact that even with certain communities experiencing challenging conditions such as high poverty rates and geographic isolation will continue to need federal and state assistance to attract physicians. We need to think differently and extend the reach of doctors to the community rather than spend their time on a lot of documentation, clerical activities, and tasks that can be handled by other allied health-care