'Maldistribution' Found in Doctors Who Treat Kids

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By Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today

Published: December 20, 2010

Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and

Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner

Nearly one million American children live in areas, often rural, where there are no local primary care physicians whereas many urban areas have an abundance of such doctors -- an average of one physician for every 140 children in some places, an analysis of national data revealed.

Overall, the availability of local physicians who care for children across the country varies by a factor of almost seven, with millions of U.S. children living at each extreme, according to Scott Shipman, MD, and colleagues at Dartmouth University in Lebanon, N.H., and colleagues.

This "profound maldistribution" of child doctors exists despite a 51% increase in the number of pediatricians and a 35% increase in family physicians between 1996 and 2006 cited by American Medical Association data, Shipman and co-authors reported online ahead of print in the January 2011 issue of Pediatrics.

During the same time period, the child population grew just 9%, they noted.

...

The researchers found a maldistribution of practicing child physicians both overall and in many states:

* In 2006, there were 38,981 general pediatricians and 83,081 family physicians in the U.S.

* That worked out to 70.4 child physicians per 100,000 children, or 1,420 children per practicing child physician.

* 984 primary care service areas (or 15%) had no local child physician, and the child population in those areas totaled 953,995.

* On the other hand, the top 10% of primary care service areas had at least one child physician for every 661 children.

* The 20% of children living in doctor-rich areas had an average of 141 child physicians per 100,000 children or less than 710 children per doctor.

* Another 20% lived in areas with an average of 22 child physicians per 100,000 children or more than 4,400 children per doctor.

...

As well, women and younger child physicians were more significantly likely to practice in areas with greater numbers of child physicians.

...

The team noted that their study was limited by the count of doctors in the AMA Physician Masterfile, which is imprecise but without evidence of geographic bias. As well, they noted, they were unable to adjust for possible part-time work in areas where physicians are in great supply.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/23981

[mawilson 2,133]

'Maldistribution' Found in Doctors Who Treat Kids

I think they have a pill for that.

[The_Dude 1,142]

That is a result of our profit driven health care system, patients come second.

[Jenn! 918]

This is what happens when you live in the middle of nowhere.

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

This is what happens when you live in the middle of nowhere.

time to hitch up ol bessy and go to the dr.

[Jenn! 918]

time to hitch up ol bessy and go to the dr.

yessiree, we can make it back in a fortnight as long as we shoot plenty of buffalo, don't break a wagon axle and don't die of diptheria on the way!

[The_Dude 1,142]

yessiree, we can make it back in a fortnight as long as we shoot plenty of buffalo, don't break a wagon axle and don't die of diptheria on the way!

That reminds me of that old school educational computer game when I was a kid, Oregon Trail.

[Jenn! 918]

That reminds me of that old school educational computer game when I was a kid, Oregon Trail.

yes, my knowledge of rural life comes exclusively from oregon trail

[Obama 2012 1,714]

...

The team noted that their study was limited by the count of doctors in the AMA Physician Masterfile, which is imprecise but without evidence of geographic bias. As well, they noted, they were unable to adjust for possible part-time work in areas where physicians are in great supply.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/23981

Is their "masterfile" only comprised of members?

Only 18% of physicians are members of the AMA, so this definitely is a BS study if that's the case.....

[^_^ 5,021]

Is their "masterfile" only comprised of members?

Only 18% of physicians are members of the AMA, so this definitely is a BS study if that's the case.....

BS studies don't tell you the limitations of their own data.

Edited December 20, 2010 by \

[The_Dude 1,142]

Is their "masterfile" only comprised of members?

Only 18% of physicians are members of the AMA, so this definitely is a BS study if that's the case.....

That is why it is a survey, not a census. It's called methodology Paul.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

That is why it is a survey, not a census. It's called methodology Paul.

Yeah, but they should specify "Maldistribution of AMA Registered Pediatricians" then instead of the blanket statement that this applies to all physicians.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yeah, but they should specify "Maldistribution of AMA Registered Pediatricians" then instead of the blanket statement that this applies to all physicians.

That is what the methodology is for Paul.

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

yes, my knowledge of rural life comes exclusively from oregon trail

you're always free to visit - just bring plenty of ammo, never know when another border war with missouri is gonna start.

[The_Dude 1,142]

you're always free to visit - just bring plenty of ammo, never know when another border war with missouri is gonna start.