Increasingly inequitable distribution of general practitioners in Australia, 1986-96
Date
2001
Authors
Johnston, Gregory
Wilkinson, David
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2001; 20(1):66-70
Statement of Responsibility
Johnston, Greg and Wilkinson, David
Conference Name
Abstract
Objective: To document trends in the
distribution of general practitioners (GPs) in
Australia between 1966 and 1996. adjusted
for community need.
Methods: Data on the location of GPs,
population size and crude mortality in
statistical divisions (SO) were obtained
from the Australlan Bureau of Statistics
Census of Population and Housing in 1986
and 1996. From these data, we calculated
measures of distribution equality (number
of people sharing each GP in each SO) and
distribution equity (number of people
sharing each GP divided by the crude
mortality rate; the Robin Hood Index), and
analysed temporal changes in the
distribution of G Ps.
Results: Nationally, the number of people
sharing each GP feU 11 % from 1,038 in
1986 to 921 in 1996. However, in 41 of 57
SOs (72%, poO.Ol) the number of people
sharing a GP actually increased over this
time, and the average Robin Hood Index
across SOs fell from 0.943 to 0.783
(.0-0.004), indicating increasingly
inequitable distribution. Comparing the
Robin Hood Index values of all SOs ranked
in pairs, the value fell in 53 of 57 (93%,
pdl.OO 1) paired SOs over the decade.
These patterns demonstrate increasing
inequity over the decade. The number of
people sharing each GP was consistently
and substantially lower in the capital city
SOs and the Robin Hood Index values were
consistently and substantially higher (over~
served) compared with country SOs.
Conclusions: Despite there being more
G Ps per capita in Australia, their
distribution became increasingly unequal
and inequitable between 1986 acd 1996,
such that rural and remole areas became
increasingly poorly served.
School/Discipline
School of Medical Sciences : Anatomical Sciences
Dissertation Note
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Copyright © 2001 RMIT Publishing