Washington State Counties
 Cities

State Highlights

            
Help
Washington: Number of physicians

This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of physicians in patient care by the total population. We multiply the result by 1,000.  Note that data from 2003 and later count all physicians in patient care.  Data prior to 2003 count only physicians in patient care who are not employed by the federal government. 

In counties with relatively few people, a small change in the number of physicians may have a significant effect on rates from year to year.

In Washington . . .

  • there were 2.5 physicians per 1,000 population in 2013, compared to 2.6 per 1,000 in the U.S.
 

To get the most out of this indicator . . .

 

Ask questions:

 

·         Are there enough local physicians to meet the health care needs of the local population?

·         Does your county have a high or low number of physicians per 1,000 people?

·         Is the number of physicians per 1,000 people increasing or decreasing?

 

Dig deeper:

 

·       The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identifies Health Professional Shortage Areas.  See http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov/.
 
·        The County Health Rankings website provides a set of county health indicators for every county in the nation.
      ·    Look at the county rankings for your state and/or view maps to see how your county compares to others.
 
·       Download data for your county or state to see the number of physicians in your county each year.

·       Take a Big Picture view of your county.

·        If you have specific questions, send us an e-mail.



Note: Data prior to 2003 pertain to physicians not employed by the federal government. The rate is presented on a "per 1,000" basis. NA = Not Reported or Not Available.

Source: 1996-2013: American Medical Association, Physician Characteristics and Distribution in the US. DATE LAST UPDATED: September 3, 2015.




Designed and hosted by First Step Internet - www.fsr.com