| The mapping classes for this map were built around
the figure 1100:1, the population-to-specialist ratio that has been
characteristic of Canada as a whole for more than a decade. Two
of the mapping classes (401:1 to 549:1 and 550:1 to 1099:1) show
regions of Canada that have ratios that are significantly lower
or slightly lower than the 1100:1 value and two mapping classes
(1100:1 to 1649:1 and 1650:1 to 48 247:1) with higher and significantly
higher ratio values. The full range of this ratio is from 401:1
to a staggering 48 247:1! The census division with the latter enormous
ratio is located in north central Newfoundland, a census division
with relatively few people but even fewer physician resources (including
Family physicians).
Again, low ratios are generally associated with urban areas. But
this map may contain surprises for some. A large number of rural
and remote areas in Canada (in every province and territory with
the exception of the Yukon) show ratios that would suggest the presence
of a large number of specialist physicians. In fact, this is not
the case. This is an example of where ratios can mislead.
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