| Abstract: | Variations in physician supply, and the impact on a patient's use of physicians, remains a concern. This article asks how the supply of physicians is associated with both the number of visits and the dollar value of services received from general practitioners and specialists. Ontario respondents in the Canadian Community Health Survey 2000/2001 are linked to their Ontario Health Insurance Program claims for 3 years (1999–2002). A geographic weighting method is employed to account for physician supply in surrounding jurisdictions. The results are consistent with the conclusion patients substitute one physician type for another when physician supply is constrained. (JEL I10, I12, C29, C39, C52) |
