ArticleInternational journal for equity in health2021
Physician distribution across China's cities: regional variations.
Article in International journal for equity in health, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Post-graduate nephrology education in China: structure, workforce gaps, regional disparities, and the emerging role of critical care nephrology.Renal failure · 2026Review
- Regional convergence and spatial dynamics of physician workforce distribution across regions in Türkiye (2008-2023).BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Urban-rural differences and bidirectional association between social participation and cognitive function among Chinese older adults: a 10-year prospective cohort study.Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique · 2025Article
- Spatial-temporal distribution and evolution of medical and health talents in China.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Patterns and impacts of patient migration for primary knee arthroplasty in China: A national retrospective study.PloS one · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDistribution of physicians is a key component of access to health care. Although there is extensive research on urban-rural disparities in physician distribution, limited attention has been directed to the heterogeneity across urban areas. This research depicts variations in physician density across over 600 cities in the context of China's rapid urbanization.
methodsData came from National Census Surveys and China statistical yearbooks, 2000-2003, and 2010-2013. Cities were characterized in terms of not only administrative level but also geographic regions and urban agglomerations. We analyzed variations in physician supply by applying generalized estimating equations with an ordinal logistic linking function.
resultsAlthough overall physician density increased between 2003 and 2013, with population and socioeconomic attributes adjusted, physician density declined in urban China. On average, urban districts had a higher physician density than county-level cities, but there were regional variations. Cities in urban agglomerations and those outsides did not differ in physician density.
conclusionDespite the reduced inequality between 2003 and 2013, the growth in physician density did not appear to be commensurate with the changes in population health demand. Assessment in physician distribution needs to take into account heterogeneity in population and socioeconomic characteristics.
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