A Demographic and Ecological Analysis of the Distribution of Physicians in Metropolitan America, 1960

Abstract

This study examines five demograpic and ecological variables that influence the distribution of physicians within the metropolitan areas of the United States: population size, population composition (age, race, education), and "medical environment." The use of multiple correlation analysis permits an assessment of the relative importance of each of these variables. The findings clearly indicate that the five variables significantly influence on physicians in general practice and on specialists.