The Distribution of Specialist Physicians in Puerto Rico: Supply and Demand Projections of Twenty-Five Medical Specialties.

Abstract

Objective: In recent decades, there have been major waves of physician migration from Puerto Rico, disproportionately affecting rural and suburban areas most. To quantify this issue, the supply of physicians of twenty-five different specialties was compared to their projected demand by municipality, region, and as a whole for Puerto Rico.

Methods: Data regarding the availability of physicians across the archipelago was obtained through a partnership with CredeMtia - Manejo de Servicios de Salud of Puerto Rico. Demand projections were calculated based on literature review of current demand for each specialty, and then compared to current supply on the archipelago and each of its regions and municipalities.

Results: The resulting data has shown that 64% of the investigated specialties have an inadequate supply of physicians in Puerto Rico. Physicians are predominantly located in the Metropolitan region of the archipelago, leaving the majority of Puerto Rico with limited access to healthcare.

Conclusion: The results emphasize the need for healthcare reform and can be used to aid in the training and placement of physicians in the most pressing areas of need to help address this problem.