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. 1989 Dec;Spec No(Suppl):33-48.

Health services utilization and physician income trends

S Sandier

Health services utilization and physician income trends

S Sandier. Health Care Financ Rev. 1989 Dec.

Abstract

Statistics from several Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries on consumption and cost of health care services, physician workload, and physician earnings are presented. Data are analyzed according to type of physician payment used: fee for service, per case, capitation, or salary. Incentives theoretically embodied in each payment method are often offset by other factors--scale of charges, patient out-of-pocket payment, and patient access or physician activity restrictions. Moreover, the impact of payment method on use appears to be weaker than the impact of such factors as population morbidity, national health insurance, professional ethics, and medical technology.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Four main forms of remuneration for self-employed physicians
Figure 2
Figure 2. Utilization of physician services: Selected countries, selected years 1981-86
Figure 3
Figure 3. Number of patient visits per general practitioner per year, average duration of visits, and number of hours worked per week: Selected countries, selected years 1979-87
Figure 4
Figure 4. Gross income per physician and ratio of net income per physician to national average wage for general practitioners and all physicians: Selected countries, selected years 1983-85
Figure 5
Figure 5. Ratio of average net pretax income per physician to national average wage for general practitioners and all physicians: Selected countries, selected years 1970-86
Figure 6
Figure 6. Income per physician in relative terms for general practitioners and all physicians: Selected countries, selected years 1970-87
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References

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    1. Qui Consomme Quoi? Paris: CNAMTS; 1982. Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie des Travailleurs Salaries.

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