Canada's experience with national health insurance is examined from 1971, when a comprehensive first-dollar coverage system of benefits began in the Province of Quebec, until 1975. The study defines medical market areas in the province and asks questions about the effect of the Quebec insurance plan on the distribution of physicians, the supply of…

Reviews the rural physician shortage and related policy and research needs. Discusses geographic distribution of physicians, quality of rural care, rural recruitment and retention, rural residency training, factors in medical education affecting entry into rural practice, physician productivity and income, reimbursement, federal and state programs…

A combination of educational strategies for improving physician-health personnel distribution is proposed as a coordinated state level approach. Strategies used in South Carolina are described to exemplify the concept. A unique characteristic is the suggestion that health planners accept and plan for physician turnover in rural areas. (Author/JMD)