Mahdi Shahraki, Simin Ghaderi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (3-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the necessity of careful planning in the human capital of health and the effect of imbalance of general physician supply on economy and health status, this study aimed to estimate general practitioners' (GPs) demand and predict general practitioners’ shortage and surplus in Iran.
Method: This study was an analytical and applied study conducted at the national level for Iran in 2019 using ARIMA (5,1,1) method for projecting supply and Vector Error Correction (VEC) models for projecting demand with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), out-of-pocket, aging and hospital beds variables. Data were annual time series from 1991 to 2017, extracted from the statistical yearbooks issued by the Statistical Center of Iran and the World Bank database. The required models and tests were estimated by Eviews 10 software at a 0.05 significance level.
Results: The general practitioners’ elasticity to GDP, aging, and out-of-pocket were 0.33, 1.77, and -0.81, respectively. GDP per capita (0.11), aging (0.14), and the number of hospital beds (0.0007) had a positive impact, and out-of-pocket payments (-0.0001) had a negative impact on demand for GPs in Iran. Also, from 2018 to 2030, the mean GPs demand (0.23) was higher than the mean supply (0.20), and there was a shortage of GPs in these years (0.03).
Conclusion: Iran is facing a shortage of GPs by 2030. Therefore, there are suggested policies for increasing the admissions capacity at medical universities, maintaining and preventing the migration of physicians with appropriate incentives, establishing rules, and providing job satisfaction for physicians.
Ignazio Grattagliano, Filippo Anelli,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (7-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Health promotion is the highest level of human sensitivity directed to break down differences and produce equal opportunities for unselected people to enjoy the best health care potential. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the assistance provided to immigrants by Italian general practitioners (GPs), the level of satisfaction declared by migrants, and the perception of GPs about the needs of migrants.
Methods: A survey was conducted. Both immigrant patients (regular and illegal) and some Italian GPs filled a questionnaire. Ten GPs were selected among those available to perform the study by a convenience sampling method; the immigrants were consecutively included among those attending the medical offices.
Results: Over 90% (n = 66) of immigrants declared to be fully satisfied with the overall assistance provided with easy access to care. GPs declared no problems in assisting even illegal immigrants and suggested the accurate evaluation of patients’ needs to provide successful care.
Conclusions: These findings indicate the importance of promoting health and education as provided by Italian GPs. The satisfaction declared by the interviewed immigrants is mainly attributable to the model of assistance provided in Apulia, which includes interventions for any health problem
