Physician Distribution and Health Manpower Policy in Korea

This research studied the impact of increased physician supply on geographical distribution and identified the variables, both demographic and socio-economic, that account for physician maldistribution between urban and rural areas. Increased physician supply did not necessarily improve physician availability and access to health care in many rural and inner-city areas of Korea. Observed performance indicates that most physicians newly qualified since 1974 chose to work in major urban areas, while most rural areas had a shortage of physicians and health facilities. Physicians also tended to work in areas where there were supportive medical facilities, where the distance to major metropolitan areas was not great, where medical schools were located or nearby, and where consumers lived in pleasant surroundings.