The maldistribution of general practitioners in England and Wales: 1974-2003.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The geographical distribution of general practitioners (GPs) is a persistent policy concern within the National Health Service. Maldistribution across family health service authorities in England and Wales fell between 1974 and the mid-1980s but then remained, at best, constant until the mid-1990s.

Aim

To estimate levels of maldistribution over the period 1994-2003 and to examine the long-term trend in maldistribution from 1974-2003.

Design

Annual snapshots from the GP census.

Setting

One hundred 2001 'frozen' health authorities in England and Wales for 1994-2003 and 98 family health service authorities for 1974-1995.

Method

Ratios of GPs to raw and need-adjusted populations were calculated for each health authority for each year using four me

SUBMITTER: Hann M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1326105 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature