Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36104727›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2022

Measuring inequality in the distribution of health human resources using the Hirschman-Herfindahl index: a case study of Qazvin Province.

Asghar Nasiri, Hasan Yusefzadeh, Mohammad Amerzadeh, Saeideh Moosavi, Rohollah Kalhor

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Article in BMC health services research, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

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6citing papers in PubMed
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6 citing papers in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Asghar NasiriStudent Research Committee, School of Public Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Hasan YusefzadehDepartment of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Mohammad AmerzadehSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Saeideh MoosaviStudent Research Committee, School of Public Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6240-907X
Rohollah KalhorSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. r.kalhor@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6146-8761

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAchieving equity in the distribution of health services is one major goal in the health system. This study aimed to determine equality in distributing health human resources (physicians) in the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences before and after the Health Transformation Plan (HTP) based on the Hirschman-Herfindahl index (HHI).

methodsIn this descriptive-analytical study, the statistical population was general practitioners (GPs), specialists and subspecialists in the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences from 2011-to 2017. We extracted demographic statistics of the cities from the Statistical Center of Iran. Physicians' statistics were obtained from the Curative Affairs Deputy at the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. We assessed inequality using the HHI.

resultsThe highest number of GPs was in 2014, and specialists and subspecialists were in 2017. The lowest number of GPs, specialists, and subspecialists were in 2016, 2011 and 2015. The HHI for GPs in 2011-2017 was between 4300 and 5200. The lowest concentration for specialists before the HTP plan was the cardiologist with 3300, and after the HTP, the internal specialist with 3900. Also, the numerical value of this index for all subspecialty physicians after the HTP was 10,000, the highest level of concentration.

conclusionThe values obtained from the HHI index indicate the high concentration and disproportionate and inequitable distribution of human resources in the health sector in this province. The number of specialists in some cities is still much less than acceptable, and some cities even have shortcomings in the critical specialists.

Indexed as

General PractitionersHealth WorkforceGovernment ProgramsHumansSpecializationWorkforceHealth Human ResourcesHealth Transformation PlanHerfindahl He-Shaman Index

Identifiers

PMID36104727
PMCPMC9476587

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