Addressing Doctor Shortages in Rural Areas An Evaluation of Practice Location Restriction in Germany

Project holder :

• Quentin Schnapper (postdocoral fellow, LIEPP)

Project description : 

For over two decades, the issue of ‘medical deserts’ has sparked intense debate in France regarding the most effective methods to attract general practitioners to rural and remote areas. This conflict primarily pits proponents of financial incentives, supported by medical organizations, against advocates of restrictive policies that tie practice locations in overcrowded areas to the purchase of vacant positions. Do the latter truly ensure a more equitable distribution in favor of the countryside, or do they simply increase the economic cost of practicing in larger cities? This project contributes to this ongoing debate by conducting both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the socio-spatial impacts of the German restrictive regulations that have been in place since 1993. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining public policy analysis, insights from the sociology of life courses and markets, and a geographical perspective. The study examines the interplay between state regulations, the location decisions made by individual doctors, and the spatially differentiated market for medical practices. To achieve this, the project utilizes statistical analysis based on the records of licensed doctors, along with in-depth interviews conducted with general practitioners in both rural and urban areas of Lower Saxony.