J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2018 Jan;61(1):105-113. 10.3340/jkns.2017.0303.006.

Geographic Analysis of Neurosurgery Workforce in Korea

• Park HR
• Park SQ
• Kim JH
• Hwang JC
• Lee GS
• Chang JC

• KMID: 2403530
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2017.0303.006

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
In respect of the health and safety of the public, universal access to health care is an issue of the greatest importance. The geographic distribution of doctors is one of the important factors contributing to access to health care. The aim of this study is to assess the imbalances in the geographic distribution of neurosurgeons across Korea.
METHODS
Population data was obtained from the National Statistical Office. We classified geographic groups into 7 metropolitan cities, 78 non-metropolitan cities, and 77 rural areas. The number of doctors and neurosurgeons per 100000 populations in each county unit was calculated using the total number of doctors and neurosurgeons at the country level from 2009 to 2015. The density levels of neurosurgeon and doctor were calculated and depicted in maps.
RESULTS
Between 2009 and 2015, the number of neurosurgeons increased from 2002 to 2557, and the ratio of neurosurgeons per 100000 populations increased from 4.02 to 4.96. The number of neurosurgeons per 100000 populations was highest in metropolitan cities and lowest in rural areas from 2009 to 2015. A comparison of the geographic distribution of neurosurgeons in 2009 and 2015 showed an increase in the regional gap. The neurosurgeon density was affected by country unit characteristics (p=0.000).
CONCLUSION
Distribution of neurosurgeons throughout Korea is uneven. Neurosurgeons are being increasingly concentrated in a limited number of metropolitan cities. This phenomenon will need to be accounted when planning for a supply of neurosurgeons, allocation of resources and manpower, and the provision of regional neurosurgical services.

Keyword

Geographic mapping; Hospital distribution systems; Neurosurgeons; Health manpower

MeSH Terms

Geographic Mapping
Health Manpower
Health Services Accessibility
Hospital Distribution Systems
Korea*
Neurosurgeons
Neurosurgery*
Resource Allocation

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Color map representing the geographic distribution of neurosurgeon number (A) and density (B) in 2009 and 2015.

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  Fig. 2 Color map representing the neurosurgeon density in 2015 by region.

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  Fig. 3 Recent trends in the number of patients and the cost of treatment of cerebral infarction, traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. A: The number of patients treated, B: The cost of treatment (units: 10000 won).

Reference

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