Payesh (Apr 2020)
Inequality in distribution of physician and general practitioner in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran (2009-2017)
Abstract
Objective (s): The purpose of this study was to measure inequality of physician and general practitioner distribution in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including all physicians and general practitioners in Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, Iran (2009-2017). Data were extracted from yearbooks of Statistical Center of Iran and inequality of physician and general practitioner distribution were calculated by Gini, Robin Hood, Herfindahl-Hirschman and Theil indices in Stata 14 and Excel 2019 software. Results: The mean physicians and general practitioners in the province during 2009-2017 was 0.438 and 0.223, per thousand habitants, respectively. Also the mean of Gini, Robin Hood, Herfindahl-Hirschman and Thiel indices for the physician were 0.21, 0.19, 0.20, 0.24, and those for the general practitioner were 0.06, 0.10, 0.13 and 0.13, respectively. The indices had the same trend over the study period. Conclusion: Inequality in general practitioner distribution was decreased but for physician was not. The findings suggest that in addition to maintaining general practitioners and increasing proportion to population growth, to reduce inequality in physician distribution, resources such as specialized hospitals, beds and medical equipments in the province should be increased and appropriately distributed among cities. Financial and tariff incentives and student admissions in specialized fields for long-term employment in the province will also be useful.
