Health Personnel Inequality Trends in Turkey: Theil Index and Gini Analysis

Authors : İlhan Kerem Şenel

Pages : 321-345

Doi:10.31201/ijhmt.1731530

View : 132 | Download : 635

Publication Date : 2025-11-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Health workforce inequality affects equitable access to healthcare worldwide. Turkey implemented major health system reforms in the 2000s through the Health Transformation Program (HTP) to address regional disparities in physician distribution. Aim: To examine temporal trends in health personnel inequality across Turkey\\\'s 81 provinces between 2002 and 2023, focusing on medical doctor distribution patterns. Methods: Official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on physician counts and population figures for all provinces were analyzed. The Gini coefficient and Theil index were calculated annually to quantify changes in inequality. Although originally developed to measure income inequality, both metrics effectively capture disparities in the distribution of healthcare resources. Results: Both indices showed major improvements in physician distribution equity during the 2000s, corresponding with HTP healthcare reforms. The Gini coefficient fell from 0.253 in 2002 to 0.146 in 2019, while the Theil index dropped from 0.103 to 0.034. After 2019, both measures showed modest increases, with 2023 values reaching 0.174 (Gini) and 0.048 (Theil). Conclusion: Turkey achieved substantial progress in reducing regional physician inequality through targeted policy interventions. Recent trends suggest the need for continued monitoring and adaptive strategies to maintain healthcare equity gains.
Keywords : Sağlık Eşitsizliği, Gini Katsayısı, Theil Endeksi, Sağlık Politikası, Türkiye

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