Optimal transport for primary care planning

Souleymane Diallo, Joseph Touzet () and Xavier Bacon ()
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Souleymane Diallo: PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Joseph Touzet: CB - CB - Centre Borelli - UMR 9010 - Service de Santé des Armées - INSERM - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENS Paris Saclay - Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay - UPCité - Université Paris Cité
Xavier Bacon: CB - CB - Centre Borelli - UMR 9010 - Service de Santé des Armées - INSERM - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENS Paris Saclay - Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay - UPCité - Université Paris Cité

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Abstract: This paper proposes a new model based on optimal transport theory that provides both a local and global measure of access to primary care. We extend a previously introduced OT-based spatial heterogeneity index designed to analyse spatial disparities in electoral results. The method allows us to identify shortage areas and determine geographically where additional general practitioners (GPs) should be located in order to maximize access to physicians. The model has significant policy implications given that it enables policymakers to target areas in need to implement incentives to attract new physicians. Thus, it helps avoid a concentration of physicians in some areas and help also to design a better distribution of physician across areas. To illustrate our method, we apply our model to Occitanie, the second-largest region in metropolitan France, which displays sufficient spatial heterogeneity for our purposes.

Keywords: Optimal transport; Access to primary care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-09-10
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05744938v1
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