Sammendrag
A number of empirical studies have shown that there is a negative association between population:physician ratio and utilization of medical services. However, it is not clear whether this realationship reflects supplier-inducement, the effect of lower prices on patient demand, a supply response to variation in healthstatus, or improved availability. We applied a theoretical model which distinguish between an inducement and an availability effect. The model was implemented on a cross-sectional data set which contained information about patient visits and laboratory tests for all fee-for-service primary care physicians in Norway. Since population:physician ratio is potentially endogenous, an instrumental variabel approach is used. We found no evidence for inducement either for number of visits or for provision of laboratory services.
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