Equity in the Distribution of General and Specialist Practitioners of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Fair distribution of physicians is a determining factor in health system policies. The present study aimed to investigate the equity in the distribution of general and specialist physicians in the affiliated cities of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2019. Population data were collected through the Statistics Center of Iran and The number of physicians was collected through the relevant departments of the university and the organizations of the medical and planning system of Khuzestan province in 2019. Then, using ratio indices, Gini coefficient, and Lorenz curve, the status of physicians distribution was investigated. Excel software was used to analyze the data. Hendijan (0.5) and Haftkel (0.49) had the highest ratio of general practitioners to the population and Mahshahr port (0.11) had the lowest. The highest ratio of specialized physicians to the population was in Karun with 0.75 and the lowest ratio was in Bavi (0.04). The Gini coefficient of distribution of general practitioners, specialists, and all the physicians in the study population was 0.16, 0.31, and 0.19, respectively. The Lorenz curve showed the distribution of physicians and confirmed the Gini coefficients. The ratio of general practitioners and specialists to the population in the study population is low, but the distribution of general practitioners and all the physicians are fair and specialist physicians are unfair. Policymakers and university administrators should pay special attention to increasing the ratio of general practitioners and specialists to the population and the fair distribution of specialist physicians.