[The physician/population ratio in Switzerland: the impact of its regional variation on mortality, health expenditures and user's satisfaction].

An opinion survey conducted in 1997 in the various Swiss "cantons" produced the following findings: 1. The satisfaction of the population concerning the provision of ambulatory care does not increase when the physician/population ratio increases. It is not clear whether a decrease of "oversupply" gives raise, at least in the short term, to a feeling of dissatisfaction. 2. The perception of signs of shortened supply does not increase when the physician/population ratio decreases. 3. When the cantons are grouped by level of physician/population ratio, the different groups show nearly the same health performance as measured by the rate of avoidable mortality. 4. The number of consultations per capita increases clearly in the "cantons" having high physician/population ratios. Increased ratios have clearly an impact on health expenditures.