Originally published as: Duffrin C, Jackson NA. Exploring the association between long-term HPSA designation and county population-to-physician ratio. Frontiers in Public Health Services and Systems Research. 2014;3(1):1–4. PDF available at: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1077&context=frontiersinphssr.
Christopher Duffrin, PhD, MCHES, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
Natalie A. Jackson, MPH, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine
Federal, state, local and public health officials utilize Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations to manage health and physician workforce development in underserved regions. HPSA designation length by county was examined to determine if there is significant association with population-to-primary care physician ratio since the inception of HPSA designations in 1978. Counties were grouped in 5 categories based on consecutive designation length and analyzed with demographic variables. This report examines the relationship of long-term HPSA status and changes in primary care physician workforce.