Physician distribution across China’s cities: regional variations

International Journal for Equity in Health

Jersey Liang¹  Xuexin Yu²  Wei Zhang² 

[1] Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI, USA;West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guoxue Alley, 610040, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;

关键词: Physician supply;    Health equity;    Regional variations;    Urban China;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-021-01503-5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundDistribution of physicians is a key component of access to health care. Although there is extensive research on urban-rural disparities in physician distribution, limited attention has been directed to the heterogeneity across urban areas. This research depicts variations in physician density across over 600 cities in the context of China’s rapid urbanization.MethodsData came from National Census Surveys and China statistical yearbooks, 2000–2003, and 2010–2013. Cities were characterized in terms of not only administrative level but also geographic regions and urban agglomerations. We analyzed variations in physician supply by applying generalized estimating equations with an ordinal logistic linking function.ResultsAlthough overall physician density increased between 2003 and 2013, with population and socioeconomic attributes adjusted, physician density declined in urban China. On average, urban districts had a higher physician density than county-level cities, but there were regional variations. Cities in urban agglomerations and those outsides did not differ in physician density.ConclusionDespite the reduced inequality between 2003 and 2013, the growth in physician density did not appear to be commensurate with the changes in population health demand. Assessment in physician distribution needs to take into account heterogeneity in population and socioeconomic characteristics.

【 授权许可】

CC BY