Abstract
BackgroundCountry-level data suggest large differences in the supply of health professionals among European countries. However, little is know about the regional supply of health professionals taking a cross-country comparative perspective. The aim of the study was to analyse the regional distribution of physicians, nurses and midwives in the highest and lowest density regions in Europe and examine time trends.MethodsWe used Eurostat data and descriptive statistics to assess the density of physicians, nurses and midwives at national and regional levels (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 2 regions) for 2017 and time trends (2005–2017). To ensure cross-country comparability we applied a set of criteria (working status, availability over time, geographic availability, source). This resulted in 14 European Union (EU) countries and Switzerland being available for the physician analysis and eight countries for the nurses and midwives analysis. Density rates per population were analysed at national and NUTS 2 level, of which regions with the highest and lowest density of physicians, nurses and midwives were identified. We examined changes over time in regional distributions, using percentage change and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).ResultsThere was a 2.4-fold difference in the physician density between the highest and lowest density countries (Austria national average: 513, Poland 241.6 per 100,000) and a 3.5-fold difference among nurses (Denmark: 1702.5, Bulgaria: 483.0). Differences by regions across Europe were higher than cross-country variations and varied up to 5.5-fold for physicians and 4.4-fold for nurses/midwives and did not improve over time. Capitals and/or major cities in all countries showed a markedly higher supply of physicians than more sparsely populated regions while the density of nurses and midwives tended to be higher in more sparsely populated areas. Over time, physician rates increased faster than density levels of nurses and midwives.ConclusionsThe study shows for the first time the large variation in health workforce supply at regional levels and time trends by professions across the European region. This highlights the importance for countries to routinely collect data in sub-national geographic areas to develop integrated health workforce policies for health professionals at regional levels.
Highlights
Country-level data suggest large differences in the supply of health professionals among European countries
This study aims to: first, analyse the density of physicians, nurses and midwives at national and regional levels in a selection of European Union (EU) countries and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, belonging to the EU’s single market with comparable data
Density of physicians The national density of practicing physicians varied across the 15 countries, with a 2.4-fold difference between the country with the highest (Austria, national average 518.3 per 100,000 population in 2017) and lowest physician density (Poland, 241.6, per 100,000) (Fig. 1)
Summary
Country-level data suggest large differences in the supply of health professionals among European countries. Evidence suggests that the supply of health professionals and their geographical distribution is associated with population health outcomes, such as maternal mortality, avoidable cancer mortality and lower hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions [2, 3]. Fewer individuals are choosing to become physicians or nurses, often as a result of high workload, shift and weekend work, stress and low remuneration. This leaves positions unfilled, leading to shortages for certain professions, specialties and geographic areas [9]
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