臺灣執業物理治療師人力分布狀況

Manpower Distribution of Practising Physical Therapists in Taiwan

李曜全(Yao-Chuen Li) ； 廖華芳(Hua-Fang Liao) ； 朱育秀(Yu-Hsiu Chu) ； 熊昭(Chao A. Hsiung)

《物理治療》 44卷4期 (2019/12) Pp. 241-252

https://doi.org/10.6215/FJPT.201912_44(4).0003

摘要

背景與目的：臺灣至今尚未有不同醫療區的執業物理治療師人力分布狀況，本研究旨在分析執業物理治療師在不同醫療區以及偏遠地區的分布狀況，同時進行執業物理治療師密度國際比較。研究方法：利用公開的資料庫收集臺灣物理治療師執業場域與人數數據，以及經濟合作暨發展組織（Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD）會員國與世界物理治療聯盟（World Confederation for Physical Therapy, WCPT）亞洲會員國之物理治療師人力資料，並計算臺灣各醫療區與各國執業物理治療師密度（人／每萬名人口）。結果：2018年臺灣共有6,116名執業物理治療師，密度為每萬名人口2.6人，其中47.4%執業於醫院。以52個次級醫療區進行分析，物理治療資源充足區域（物理治療師密度前三分之一）多位於都會區，而資源不足區域（物理治療師密度後三分之一）多落於偏遠地區。若與OECD歐美國家比較，臺灣執業物理治療師密度明顯較低，但優於多數WCPT亞洲國家。結論：就醫療區而言，臺灣執業物理治療師密度明顯呈現分布不均的問題，未來應針對執業現況與分布進行更完整的分析與規劃，以改善物理治療資源區域間的差異。

關鍵字

密度 ； 人力分布 ； 健康不平等 ； 跨國比較

並列摘要

Background and Purpose: There is a lack of the investigation of manpower distribution of practising physical therapists (PTs) based on medical geography in Taiwan. Therefore, this study was to investigate the distribution of practising PTs in diff erent levels of medical areas, as well as remote areas. In addition, cross-country comparison of PT density was conducted. Methods: Data on the number of practising PTs and their employment sectors were retrieved from public government databases in Taiwan, whereas data on the density of practising PTs in other countries were retrieved from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT). The density of practising PTs was defined as the number of PTs per 10,000 population. Results: There were 6,116 practising PTs in Taiwan, 47.4% of whom worked in hospitals, and the density of PTs was 2.6 persons per 10,000 population. According to the distribution in sub-medical areas, human resources in PTs were richer (first tertile of the PT density) in more urbanized areas, while recourses were more insufficient (third tertile) in remote areas. Furthermore, the PT density in Taiwan was lower, compared to OECD countries, but higher than most WCPT Asian members. Conclusions: The current concern regarding manpower resources in PT is unequal distribution. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the gap in PT resources between areas, it is warranted to systematically investigate the supply and demand of practising PTs.

並列關鍵字

Density ； Manpower distribution ； Health inequality ； Cross-country comparison