Determinants of Medical Employment in Urban Mexico: Ascription, Achievement and Context

Posted: 14 May 2012 Last revised: 19 Sep 2014

See all articles by Felicia Knaul

Felicia Knaul

Harvard Global Equity Initiative; Mexican Health Foundation

Julio Frenk

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Gustavo Nigenda

Medical University of Sofia

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: 2001

Abstract

This study examines unemployment and underemployment of physicians in urban Mexico. The framework is relevant to countries with substantial increases in physician supply. Based on surveys from 1986 and 1993, the study analyses physician performance in the labour market as a function of ascription (social origin and gender), achievement (quality of medical education and specialization) and contextual variables (policy environments). By comparing two points in time, the article examines the impact of policies. The study reveals persistently high open unemployment, qualitative underemployment (that is, working outside medicine) and quantitative underemployment (that is, working in medical activities but with low productivity and remuneration). Improvements over time can be in part attributed to policies to control the supply of physicians. The growing proportion of female doctors presents challenges, since they are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed. The article concludes that health systems must strive to reduce the perverse effects of unbalanced labour markets in order to avoid reproducing rather than correcting social inequalities. Corrective policies regarding physician supply can be effective. The professional opportunities available to female doctors deserve attention.

Keywords: physician supply, labour market, underemployment

Suggested Citation

Knaul, Felicia and Knaul, Felicia and Frenk, Julio and Nigenda, Gustavo, Determinants of Medical Employment in Urban Mexico: Ascription, Achievement and Context (2001). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2059053

Felicia Knaul (Contact Author)

Harvard Global Equity Initiative ( email )

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(617) 4327938 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k62597&pageid=icb.page268594

Mexican Health Foundation ( email )

Periférico sur 4809, El Arenal Tepepan, Tlalpan
El Arenal Tepepan, Tlalpan
Mexico, D.F., 14610
Mexico
(52) 55 56559011 (Phone)
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HOME PAGE: http://http//www.funsalud.org.mx

Julio Frenk

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ( email )

P.O. Box 23350
Seattle, WA 98102
United States

Gustavo Nigenda

Medical University of Sofia

Bialo more str. N 8
Sofia, 1527
Bulgaria

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