4
The number of physicians between 1985 and 2002 increases in the medians and ranges. The median is used here rather than the mean because the data is positively skewed, and the median is relatively resistant to skews and outliers (Gerstman, 2015). The median was 16, and the range was 34.5 in 1985, and the median was 21.2, and the range was 39.1 in 2002. Additionally, there was an increase in physicians practicing from
2002 to 2003. In 2003, the median was 22.4, and the range was 44.7. From this data, it is inferred that there was an increase in physicians yearly from 1985 to 2002 and an increase in physicians yearly from 2002-2003. There is a larger change from 1985 to 2002 than from 2002 to 2003. However, more time has lapsed from 1985 to 2002, which needs to be considered when analyzing this data.
3.
Are there any outliers found in the data? Where were they located in the distribution of data? Refer to the data set as it is listed in the data file on your computer or
in your text on pages 72 and 73. What perhaps is the inference you could make for the states where the numbers of medical doctors fall below the mean when compared to other
states for 1985? Was there any improvement over time?
There are outliers in the data. For all three years, 1985, 2002, and 2003, there is a high outlier of more physicians living in Washington, DC. In 1985, for Washington DC, it was 45.6; in 2002, it was 53.9; and in 2003, it was 60.2. The mean in 1985 was 17.01176. Some states with the lowest amount of practicing physicians were Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska. For example, in 1985, Oklahoma was at 12.8, but also improved over time to 14.8 in
2002 and 15.5 in 2003. Washington, DC, is a city with no rural parts and is very densely populated. In the 1980 census, Washington DC had a population of 683,333
(U.S. Census Bureau, n.d.)
. Meanwhile, in the 1980 census,
the entire state of Oklahoma had a population of 3,025,290(U.S. Census Bureau, n.d.). I can infer that since Oklahoma is not densely populated like Washington D.C., there are not enough practicing physicians to cover the entire state. Oklahoma and the states mentioned above have mostly rural communities with a more increased risk of a lack of transportation, unemployment and are at risk for not having health insurance (
Oklahoma -
2020 - Iii.b. Overview of the State
, 2020)
. Wyoming also improved over time, starting in 1985 at 12 and in 2002 at 16.6, and 2003 at 18.1. These increases over time could be related to an overall increase in population.
4.
This data is collected in order to track trends. What relevance do you think has for the public and the medical profession? This data is critical to track for the public and medical professionals. I mentioned above how rural states such as Wyoming and Oklahoma have barriers to care because of few physicians
that are available in their area. It is essential to be aware of this problem because many Americans must travel far to receive care (if they go at all), have preventable diseases that are left untreated or are uneducated about their health. This data can help identify these underlying issues in these states, bring the help they need, and improve their overall health and lives
.
