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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2015

Open Access 01-06-2015 | Research article

The supply of general practitioners across local areas: accounting for spatial heterogeneity

Authors: Michelle McIsaac, Anthony Scott, Guyonne Kalb

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

The geographic distribution of general practitioners (GPs) remains persistently unequal in many countries despite notable increases in overall supply. This paper explores how the factors associated with the supply of general practitioners (GPs) are aligned with the arbitrary geographic boundaries imposed by the use of spatially referenced GP supply data.

Methods

Data on GP supply in postcodes within Australia are matched to data on the population characteristics and levels of amenities in postcodes. Tobit regression models are used that examine the associations between GP supply and postcode characteristics, whilst accounting for spatial heterogeneity.

Results

The results demonstrate that GPs do not consider space in a one-dimensional sense. Location choice is related to both neighbourhood-specific factors, such as hospitals, and broader area factors, such as area income and proximity to private schools. Although the proportion of females and elderly were related to GPs supply, mortality rate was not.

Conclusions

This paper represents the first attempt to map the factors influencing GP supply to the appropriate geographic level at which GPs may be considering that factor. We suggest that both neighbourhood and broader regional characteristics can influence GPs’ locational choices. This finding is highly relevant to the design and evaluation of relocation incentive programmes.
Footnotes
1
Alternative model specifications (i.e. negative binomial and OLS) have also been estimated and provide similar results to the Tobit model presented in this paper.
 
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Metadata
Title
The supply of general practitioners across local areas: accounting for spatial heterogeneity
Authors
Michelle McIsaac
Anthony Scott
Guyonne Kalb
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1102-y

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