Target populations and physician populations: The effects of density and change

Abstract

The relationship between population density and urban services, as formulated in studies of urban ecology, is examined for the case of non-federal physicians. Two counties in south Florida are compared concerning the size, composition and dynamics of each county's physician population. The findings suggest that changes in the fertility and age structure of county population are reflected in changes in the specialty distribution of physician populations. Further this association is demonstrated to be stronger where population density is low. It is suggested that additional study would be advisable to determine the extent to which the relationship of county density to physician population characteristics reflects differences in availability and quality of care.