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Physician Supply And Breast Cancer Survival, Kevin M. Gorey

Social Work Publications

BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypothesis that physician supply thresholds are associated with breast cancer survival in Ontario.

METHODS: The 5-year survival of 17,820 female breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1995 and 1997 was surveilled until 2003 for all-cause mortality. Physician supply densities in 1991 and 2001 were computed for 49 Ontario regions.

RESULTS: There were independent threshold effects for general practitioners (GP; 7.25 per 10,000) and obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYN; 6 per 100,000) at or above which women with breast cancer were more likely to survive for 5 years. The respective risk of living in areas undersupplied with OB/GYN and GP …