An opinion survey conducted in 1997 in the various Swiss cantons produced the following findings : 1 The satisfaction of the population concerning the provision of ambulatory care does not increase when the physician/population ratio increases. It is not clear whether a decrease of oversupply gives raise, at least in the short term, to a feeling of dissatisfaction. 2 The perception of signs of shortened supply does not increase when the physician/population ratio decreases. 3 When the cantons are grouped by level of physician/population ratio, the different groups show nearly the same health performance as measured by the rate of avoidable mortality. 4 The number of consultations per capita increases clearly in the cantons having high physician/population ratios. Increased ratios have clearly an impact on health expenditures.