AIM: To estimate trends in the inequalities in the distribution of general practitioners in Sweden during the past fifteen years. METHODS: Relative inequality indicators. We plotted the Lorenz curves and calculated the Gini coefficients for the entire country during 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. RESULTS: During the past 15 years in all a declining trend was noted in the inequalities in the geographical distribution of general practitioners in Sweden, with the lowest level in 1996. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of inequality in the geographical distribution of general practitioners appeared rather stable during the period, although with some increase in the final year studied. Since equality is part of quality, policy makers in all levels--national, regional and local--should pay attention as to how human resources are distributed.
AIM: To estimate trends in the inequalities in the distribution of general practitioners in Sweden during the past fifteen years. METHODS: Relative inequality indicators. We plotted the Lorenz curves and calculated the Gini coefficients for the entire country during 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. RESULTS: During the past 15 years in all a declining trend was noted in the inequalities in the geographical distribution of general practitioners in Sweden, with the lowest level in 1996. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of inequality in the geographical distribution of general practitioners appeared rather stable during the period, although with some increase in the final year studied. Since equality is part of quality, policy makers in all levels--national, regional and local--should pay attention as to how human resources are distributed.