Abstract
This study assesses the effect of More Doctors Program (Programa Mais Médicos - PMM) on the equality in the distribution of primary care physicians (PCPs) in Brazil. Spatial data analysis, Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient were used to evaluate the geographic distribution of PCPs before and after the implementation of PMM (2012 and 2016). Data from 5,564 municipalities were used in the analyses. The results indicate that the distribution of PCPs has become more equal after PMM implementation. Between 2012 and 2016, overall Gini coefficient decreased by 11% from 0.255 to 0.227. At the state level, a statistically significant trend towards a more equal distribution of PCPs was found in 21 out of 26 Brazilian states. However, there still remains a substantial difference in the level of equality in PCP distribution, especially across states, with Gini coefficient ranging from 0.093 to 0.341 in 2016.
Highlights
The geographic distribution of physicians has been a persistent issue worldwide[1,2]
This study investigates the effects of Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) on geographic distribution of primary care physicians and uses two years for comparison purposes, 2012 and 2016
There was an increase of primary care physicians (PCPs) in municipalities with shortage of these professionals
Summary
The geographic distribution of physicians has been a persistent issue worldwide[1,2]. Despite many countries facing the uneven distribution of these professionals, this is a matter of great concern for low- and middle-income countries, since the population already have limited access to health care[3]. The lack of physicians in rural, poor and peripheral regions implies in significant disparities in health outcomes between the populations[2,4]. In Brazil, despite great progress towards a more equitable access and utilization of health care[7,8,9], there still remains a marked unequal distribution of physicians across national territory. The unbalanced distribution of physicians is noticed even when compared the numbers between states. Areas with lack of physicians are areas with the largest population in need, intensifying the unequal access to health care[11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
