Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to physician imbalance?

Patient health literacy is not a direct factor contributing to physician imbalance. Physician imbalance typically refers to the uneven distribution of physicians in terms of specialty and geographic location. Aggregate physician oversupply indicates that there are too many doctors in certain areas or specialties, leading to competition and underemployment in those fields. Geographic maldistribution highlights the problem where certain regions, particularly rural or underserved areas, lack sufficient physicians, while urban centers might have an excess. Specialty maldistribution reflects how certain specialties, such as dermatology or orthopedic surgery, may have too many physicians compared to others, such as primary care, leading to gaps in healthcare access.

In contrast, while patient health literacy can affect how patients interact with the healthcare system and understand their needs, it does not directly relate to the distribution or supply of physicians in various areas or specialties. Thus, it is recognized as a separate issue rather than a contributing factor to physician imbalances.