Is primary care physician supply correlated with health outcomes?

Int J Health Serv. 1998;28(1):183-96. doi: 10.2190/3B1X-EE5T-T7GR-KGUD.

Abstract

Assessment of the relation between life indicators and health outcomes is a complex problem. The authors' analysis uses descriptive canonical correlation, and their solution suggests that socioeconomic factors play a major role in health outcomes. The supply of primary care physicians has a lesser but still important role: canonical correlation suggests no apparent role in enhancing health outcomes among the elderly but a larger role in improving health among the young. The authors' analysis does support the notion that specialist physician supply has no correlation with a wide range of health outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Health Workforce
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Physicians, Family / supply & distribution*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Specialization
  • United States