Browsing by Subject "geographic information systems"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Measuring Population Health Using Electronic Health Records: Exploring Biases and Representativeness in a Community Health Information Exchange
    (IOS, 2015) Dixon, Brian E.; Gibson, P. Joseph; Comer, Karen Frederickson; Rosenman, Marc; Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    Assessment is a core function of public health. Comprehensive clinical data may enhance community health assessment by providing up-to-date, representative data for use in public health programs and policies, especially when combined with community-level data relevant to social determinants. In this study we examine routinely collected and geospatially-enhanced EHR data to assess population health at various levels of geographic granularity available from a regional health information exchange. We present preliminary findings and discuss important biases in EHR data. Future work is needed to develop methods for correcting for those biases to support routine epidemiology work of public health.
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    Tracking Medical Students and Graduates from Hometown to Practice using Geographic Information Systems, 2011-2017
    (University of Minnesota Libraries, 2018-06) Kochhar, Komal; Fancher, Laurie M.; Brokaw, James J.; Wilson, Jeffrey S.; Nalin, Peter M.; Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine
    Background: Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) through its statewide system provides medical education and clinical experiences across Indiana for more than 1,450 medical students in nine regions, including Indianapolis and eight regional medical campuses (RMCs). The majority of medical students begin their education distributed among the RMCs, and some students continue clinical experiences at the RMCs for their third and fourth years. Methods: We used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to visualize and document the contribution of our RMCs in Indiana to the physician workforce pipeline. Using data from the 2011-2017 graduating classes, we created a geospatial database that linked key information from student records and public domain sources (e.g., hometown, campus assignment, PGY1 specialty, and practice) with their corresponding locational information. ArcGIS 10.5 GIS software was used to produce a series of maps to visualize patterns in student outcomes among the RMCs over time. Results: By using GIS to track medical trainees from hometown to practice, we can provide accurate visualization of extensive geographic data. The maps revealed similarities and differences among the RMCs not fully appreciated until visually mapped, including the specialty choice of students from different campuses and the proportion of graduates practicing in medically underserved areas of the state. Conclusions: GIS maps and their analyses can identify strengths and distinctions among the RMCs while providing accurate descriptions of the role of geography in the professional development journey of the physician workforce. This ongoing project is a major step toward integrating GIS as a familiar tool in academic administration and health workforce research to assist future decision-making by the school leadership.