Measures of the ecological characteristics of states were developed through factor analysis. Then ecological characteristics of states and cities were related to the geographic distribution of veterinarians and physicians. Population size is the strongest correlate of the number of health professionals. Results for pet veterinarians resemble…

An American Academy of Family Physicians' study of the practice location patterns of 1978-79 graduates of family practice residency programs is examined. The majority practiced more than 100 miles from their residency program. Physicians were likely to be practicing in a community similar to their backgrounds. (Author/MLW)

A follow-up survey on senior medical students in North Carolina tracing their professional orientations since their freshman year is reported. Focus is on their attitudes toward four issues: physician-patient relationships; political and economic changes in medicine; treatment of women physicians and patients; and maldistribution of physicians.…

The association of rural or urban background with choice of medical practice location was investigated in two time periods, 1950-1955 and 1963-1968, using the alumni of the Medical College of Wisconsin. High school location, place of birth, and place of internship were found to be significantly associated with practice location. (Author/JMD)

This Digest is a summary of the principal policy implications from Medical Education Financing: Policy Analyses and Options for the 1980s, comprehensive policy analyses of options for financing both undergraduate and graduate medical education. Five general classes of options are evaluated: (1) reimbursement reforms, (2) loan programs, (3)…