What is the correlation between number of doctors in a society & health of population ?

What is the correlation between number of doctors in a society & health of population?

February 6, 2024 by dr s venkatesan

This query is lingering ever since I entered the medical profession. Though, this question might appear absurd , no correct answer is found yet .When we search the literature, the relationship between doctors and health can be 1.linear, 2.non linear, and 3. even inverse . 1 & 2 are ok 3 is forbidden.

However, to put it in a nut-shell, healthiness of a society is little to do with Doctor population alone, is well known and I think it needs no proof. The following scattergram gives some idea about the Issue.

Where to get answer for this controversial question ? Great times we are in. We have taught the machines to think. To clarify this query. I began a conversation with Chat GPT.

Hi Mr GPT , hope you do well despite non stop bombardment of queries to you .Let me begin this What is the relationship between number of doctors in a society and the healthiness of the society ?

Chat GPT: Welcome and thanks, always willing to help. The relationship between the number of doctors in a society and the overall healthiness of the society is not strictly linear. While having an adequate number of doctors is essential for providing medical care and improving health outcomes, it is only one factor among many that influence the health of a society.

The health of a society is a complex and multifaceted concept that depends on various factors such as access to healthcare services, education, socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle choices, public health policies, and cultural factors. . Having an appropriate doctor-to-patient ratio is generally associated with better healthcare delivery and outcomes.

However, simply increasing the number of doctors does not guarantee a healthier society. Health of a society is influenced by factors beyond medical care, such as nutrition, sanitation, environmental factors, and social determinants of health.

It’s important to consider that correlation does not imply causation. While there may be a positive correlation between the number of doctors and the healthiness of a society in some cases, it does not necessarily mean that more doctors directly cause a society to be healthier.

Therefore, while the presence of an adequate number of doctors is important for a healthy society, it is just one piece of the larger puzzle,

Can I expect a straight forward answer to my question does increasing doctors assure a healthy society ?

Yes or No ?

ChatGPT : I must admit , the straightforward answer to your question is “No.”

So, If you supply more and more doctors into a society without taking into other factors what will be the consequences ?

ChatGPT: If you were to increase the number of doctors in a society without considering other factors, several consequences could arise. It’s important to note that this scenario assumes an oversupply of doctors without addressing the broader healthcare system, infrastructure, and other healthcare-related aspects. Here are a few potential consequences:

1. Unemployment and underemployment: An oversupply of doctors can lead to increased competition for available positions. This may result in some doctors being unemployed or underemployed, not utilizing their skills and knowledge effectively.
2. Brain drain and resource allocation: If there is an excess of doctors in a particular region or country, some doctors may choose to emigrate or seek employment opportunities elsewhere, resulting in a brain drain. This can lead to imbalances in healthcare provision and exacerbate shortages in other areas or specialties that require attention.
3. Strain on healthcare resources: Increasing the number of doctors without considering the availability of healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and resources may strain the existing healthcare system. Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities may struggle to accommodate the influx of doctors and provide adequate resources for patient care.
4. Cost implications: The increased number of doctors without addressing other healthcare system factors can have cost implications. Expanding the healthcare workforce may lead to higher expenditures on salaries, training, and infrastructure. These costs could potentially burden the healthcare system and, ultimately, affect healthcare accessibility and affordability.
5. Specialty imbalances: An oversupply of doctors can result in imbalances in the distribution of specialties. For example, there might be an excessive number of doctors in certain areas, such as dermatology or plastic surgery, while shortages persist in other essential areas like primary care or rural medicine.

It’s crucial to note that a well-functioning healthcare system requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the number of doctors. Factors such as healthcare infrastructure, access to healthcare services, equitable distribution of resources, quality of care, and preventive health measures need to be considered for an effective and efficient healthcare system.

In this scenario , is there a possibility of detrimental effect on health if excess doctors are present who want to compete for patients and there by increasing inappropriate treatment?

ChatGPT : In the scenario you described, where there is an oversupply of doctors competing for patients, there is indeed a possibility of detrimental effects on health. This situation can potentially lead to inappropriate treatment and its associated consequences.

Thank you, for answering my 30-year-long query. “I am sure many may not accept your version.” Though your answer concurs with my perception, I can’t accept the current state of affairs. There is a strong push from among global authorities to increase the number of doctors (especially specialists) without a deep understanding of the reality. (Even the WHO is in a state of confusion, how best the enforced modernity in medical care is to be followed. It is a wild truth , least 60-75% of the work the doctors do, can be done by trained nursing professionals or paramedics, and shortly, AI-powered med-bots)

Reference

1. Nolte, Ellen, Mckee, MartinDoes : Book Title : Health Care Save Lives? Avoidable Mortality Revisited ,2004
2.Crivelli L, Domenighetti G.The physician/population ratio in Switzerland: the impact of its regional variation on mortality, health expenditures and user’s satisfaction. Cah Sociol Demogr Med.
2003;43(3):397-425