@article{oai:jichi-ir.repo.nii.ac.jp:00000029,
 author = {Nakamura, Takashi and Okayama, Masanobu and Sekine, Sayaka and Kajii, Eiji},
 journal = {自治医科大学紀要, Jichi Medical University Journal},
 month = {Mar},
 note = {Background
The distribution of physicians varies over area and time, and increases or decreases in their number are an important issue for the healthcare system. This study aimed to examine the association of an increase or decrease in the number of physicians with the mortality and life expectancy in a given population.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional ecological study of a population that comprised the inhabitants of a unit district of the healthcare system. The independent variable was the number of physicians per 10,000 population in that district in 2006 divided by the corresponding number in 1996. The dependent variables were life expectancy and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all causes, neoplasms, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease.
Results
Life expectancy in men was significantly correlated with an increase in the total number of physicians (p=0.003). Supplementary analysis showed a relationship between the increase in the number of physicians in clinics and life expectancy (β=0.859) in men.
Conclusion
A relationship was observed between particular SMRs/life expectancy and an increase in the number of physicians, and it was suggested that the increase of physicians could affect regional healthcare planning.},
 pages = {19--24},
 title = {Increase in the number of physicians and mortality/life expectancy in Japan},
 volume = {35},
 year = {2013}
}