Labor Economics Commons^™

The Change In Factors Affecting Physician Choice Of Practice Location: A Comparison Of Younger And Older Rural And Metropolitan Physicians, Theodore M. Breu

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

This study uses multiple discriminant analysis to derive the factors that physicians deem important in their decisions about where to locate their medical practices. Older physicians are compared to younger physicians both within rural areas and within metropolitan areas. Three of the top four discriminating variables for the youngest doctors were influence of the preceptorship period, preference of the spouse, and the repayment of a forgiveness loan. For the oldest group of doctors, two of the top three discriminating variables were the opportunity to join a desirable two-person partnership, and the perception of a high medical need in the area.