Health Professional Shortage and Health Status and Health Care Access

Abstract

Although areas designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) have fewer primary care physicians than non-HPSAs, few studies have tested whether HPSA designation is related to health status and medical service access. This study examined whether residents living in HPSAs were more likely to report worse health status and to be more likely to have difficulty in getting access medical services than residents living in non-HPSAs, with survey data of 10,940 adult West Virginians. Multiple regression results indicate that HPSA is associated with worse general health status and poor physical health, and less access to medical services (measured by had usual place for medical care, experienced not getting needed health care and had outpatient care) but not to inpatient care. These findings indicate that the current HPSA designation system does capture the significant differences between residents of HPSAs and residents of non-HPSAs in health status and medical services access.

Physician density and hospitalization for inflammatory bowel disease

“…[4][5][6][7] Physician density may be one marker of access to healthcare. 8 In the present study, we demonstrate that 1) there was no increase in the rate of IBD-related hospitalizations among residents of high physician density counties; but 2) several complications such as need for TPN were seen more commonly among hospitalized patients residing in counties with a low physician density; and 3) such hospitalizations were modestly more expensive, with a longer hospital stay.…”

“…Another factor that may influence access to healthcare is the physician-to-population ratio (physician density or supply). [8][9][10] Physician density has been hypothesized to influence healthcare utilization and outcomes in two ways. 10 First, a greater number of physicians may mean improved access to primary care and subspecialty physicians, 8 shorter wait times, 11 and ease of securing consultations and follow-up appointments, and consequently superior outcomes in the population as a whole.…”

“…[8][9][10] Physician density has been hypothesized to influence healthcare utilization and outcomes in two ways. 10 First, a greater number of physicians may mean improved access to primary care and subspecialty physicians, 8 shorter wait times, 11 and ease of securing consultations and follow-up appointments, and consequently superior outcomes in the population as a whole. A few studies have demonstrated such a relationship to exist between physician density and cancer, with higher physician-to-population ratio being associated with lower incidence of colorectal cancer 12 and earlier stage of diagnosis for colorectal cancer, 13 breast cancer, 14 and malignant melanoma.…”

Secular trends in end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis in Manitoba, Canada: a population-based study

“…15 In addition, patients in remote and rural regions of northern Manitoba are more likely to be of Aboriginal descent and to have socio-demographic characteristics associated with poor health outcomes, such as poverty, unemployment and lower levels of formal education than their urban counterparts. [15][16][17] Aboriginal Canadians have a 2-to 3-fold higher prevalence of ESRD, 18 are more likely to start hemodialysis and are much less likely to receive a kidney transplant than non-Aboriginal Canadians. 19 In addition, Canada's North has a higher burden of other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (e.g., tuberculosis) and certain types of cancer (notably cervical, breast, melanoma and prostate), as well as shorter life expectancy for its inhabitants.…”

Improving Efficiency While Improving Patient Care in a Student-Run Free Clinic

“…These clinics, as well as standard free clinics, are essential to communities with low levels of health care access and few resources because they help reduce health care inequity. [1][2][3][4] The rapid increase in homelessness over the past 20 years, the shortage of health care professionals in underserved areas, and the difficulty some individuals have in obtaining affordable health care insurance are just a few of the many reasons that free clinics are indispensable to society. 5,6 It is well known that a lack of access to health care is associated with poor health outcomes.…”