Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Advisor
Jeannette Manger
Abstract
Purpose: In the United States there is a growing shortage of primary care physicians that has the potential to negatively impact health outcomes of the general population. In this study, we aim to explore this potential impact by investigating the relationship between the primary care physician to patient ratio, a representation of the shortage, and various health outcomes. Methods: The data for this study was collected from County Health Rankings and the variables included were the primary care physician to patient ratio, several health outcome variables looking at both length and quality of life, and the other primary care provider to patient ratio, which examines a potential solution. Results: We found that in Ohio the primary care physician to patient ratio increased by 233.15 from 2016 to 2022, which was statistically significant (t = -2.023, p = 0.046). After performing spearman correlations, we found that all health outcome variables had a positive correlation with the primary care physician to patient ratio. Among these several were statistically significant, including a strong and significant correlation (r = 0.741, p = 0.002) between the primary care physician to patient ratio and the percentage of adults with obesity. We also determined there was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of patients reporting fair or poor health from 2016 to 2022. Conclusion: With an increase in primary care physician to ratio from 2016 to 2022 and a clear relationship with many of the health outcome variables, it is clear that the primary care physician shortage exists and needs to be addressed to prevent negative health outcomes. Further analysis and assessment of the shortage and its impact should be performed because this is an issue that could have nationwide implications.
Repository Citation
Mardovin, J., & Kessler, G. (2024). The Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in the United States, its Impact on Health Outcomes, and Rationale for Potential Solutions. Wright State University. Dayton, Ohio.
