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More Doctors, Better Health? Evidence from a Physician Distribution Policy

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  • Carrillo, B.; Feres, J.;

Abstract

In 2013, the Brazilian government implemented one of the largest physician distribution programs on record. Using a difference-in-difference framework, we document that the number of physicians increased by 17 percent in treated areas, with effects that are substantially larger in magnitude for family doctors. This expansion increased doctor visits by 4.3 percent and prenatal care by physicians by 10 percent. Yet despite these improvements in physician supply and utilization of doctors, we find little evidence that the program led to better infant health, measured by low birth weight, prematurity and infant mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Carrillo, B.; Feres, J.;, 2017. "More Doctors, Better Health? Evidence from a Physician Distribution Policy," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 17/29, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:17/29
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard K. Crump & V. Joseph Hotz & Guido W. Imbens & Oscar A. Mitnik, 2009. "Dealing with limited overlap in estimation of average treatment effects," Biometrika, Biometrika Trust, vol. 96(1), pages 187-199.
    2. James Heckman & Hidehiko Ichimura & Jeffrey Smith & Petra Todd, 1998. "Characterizing Selection Bias Using Experimental Data," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 66(5), pages 1017-1098, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mattos, Enlinson & Mazetto, Débora, 2018. "Assessing the impact of More Doctors Program on health care indicators," Textos para discussão 494, FGV EESP - Escola de Economia de São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil).
    2. Joana Raquel Raposo Santos & Hellen Geremias Santos & Carlos Manuel Matias Dias & Alexandre Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho, 2020. "Assessing the impact of a doctor in remote areas of Brazil," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(3), pages 267-272, April.
    3. Joana Raquel Raposo Santos & Hellen Geremias Santos & Carlos Manuel Matias Dias & Alexandre Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho, 0. "Assessing the impact of a doctor in remote areas of Brazil," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 0, pages 1-6.
    4. Mattos, Enlinson & Mazetto, Debora, 2019. "Assessing the impact of more doctors’ program on healthcare indicators in Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-1.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    primary care physicians; doctor utilization; infant health; policy evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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