Geographical Distribution of General and Specialist Physicians per Population and Need Adjustment Indix in Khorasan Razavi Province

geographical distribution of physicians is essential for achieving social justice and reducing inequality. In this study, the distribution of physicians, general practitioners and specialist according to population and need adjustment index in Khorasan Razavi province was investigated.

This was descriptive, cross-sectional and applied study including all of physicians, general practitioners and specialist of Khorasan Razavi province in 2006, 2011 and 2016 that Sampling was not done. Data were extracted from the yearbooks of Statistical Center of Iran and Gini and Robin Hood indices based on population and need adjustment index were calculated in Stata 14 and Excel 2019 software.

The ratio of physician, specialist and general practitioners per 10000 population in the province was 5.08, 2.12 and 1.84, respectively, which was lower than the national average despite high growth. Gini coefficient for physician, specialist and general practitioner by population in 2006 was 0.38, 0.13 and 0.71 respectively, which decreased to 0.24, 0.06 and 0.69 in 2016, respectively. The distribution of physicians and specialist based on the need adjustment index was also more unequal than the population index.

Inequality of physician, specialist and general practitioners per population has decreased, so it is recommended to adopt long-term policies and programs to increase the number of physicians by increasing the quota in universities for long-term service in the province as well as recruiting physicians with the necessary incentives. Also In the short term, it is recommended to distribute specialist between cities temporarily.