Synthesis and prospects

The papers in this volume have introduced the physician manpower policy histories of eight different countries, each with different political structures, different economic systems, different historical cultures, and different approaches to physician manpower policy. Yet, it is possible to discern several kinds of patterns in the country case studies. These include what may be called ‘overarching patterns’: categories of political structure and styles; categories of planning mechanisms; common actors in the policy arenas; non-health systems factors; and a common current pattern of economic constraint.