OECD Regions at a Glance 2007
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Health resources: number of physicians
Density of physicians is frequently used as an indicator of health-care provision. An adequate number of qualified practising physicians, located according to need, helps to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality medical services. However, it is hard to estimate the minimum number of physicians required to guarantee adequate provision. As well as the number of physicians, the hours they work and the presence of complementary and substitute health professionals (nurses, for instance) also determine actual levels of provision. However, the density of physicians is seldom expressed in full-time equivalents. Furthermore, the density indicator does not specify whether the physicians actually practise, nor does it reflect features specific to the region. The mix of private/hospital practice may carry a risk of double counting, depending on how the data are collected (e.g. by professional organisations). Another area not covered by the indicator is cross-border health-care provision.
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