Assessment of service adequacy of primary health care physicians in a two county region of Ohio, USA

Conclusions

The following conclusions can be made based on the survey and analysis of physicians in Summit and Portage counties for 1980:

• 1. a) Considering Summit and Portage counties as a whole, there is no shortage of primary health care physicians. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that no additional primary health care physicians are needed for the counties as a whole. b) There is, however, a shortage of primary health care physicians in specific areas such as Norton City and rural Portage County. Therefore, these two areas could be considered as sites for additional primary are physicians.

• 2. a) There is an adequate number of general physicians (GP/FP/IM) in the two county region and therefore it is concluded that no additional general physicians be added. b) There are, however, two specific areas (Norton city and rural Portage County) which need additional general physicians.

• 3. The number of obstetricians and gynecologists is barely adequate for the two-county region. Therefore, additional OB-GYNs are needed not only in rural Summit and Portage counties, but also in Tallmadge and Fairlawn cities.

• 4. There is a general need of additional pediatricians in the two-county region except for Akron and Fairlawn cities.

• 5. Downtown Akron and its surrounding areas, along with the center of Kent, are depicted by the MUA Index (Fig8 through 11) as underserved with large concentrations of people below the poverty level. The needs of these areas are not explained by excessive distance from physicians, but due to the economic inability of the residents to afford a physician and pay for the cost of the travel. Further investigation should be completed to determine whether medical care benefits for such residents are adequate and whether affordable transportation and financial capability are available.