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Investigating variations in the use of GIS within the NHS

Investigating variations in the use of GIS within the NHS. Gary Higgs (University of Glamorgan) Myles Gould & Darren Smith (University of Leeds). ESRC funded research project With support for dissemination from the Association of Geographical Information, Health Special Interest Group.

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Investigating variations in the use of GIS within the NHS

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  1. Investigating variations in the use of GIS within the NHS Gary Higgs (University of Glamorgan) Myles Gould & Darren Smith (University of Leeds) ESRC funded research project With support for dissemination from the Association of Geographical Information, Health Special Interest Group

  2. Structure • Background & Rationale • Aims & Objectives • Dissemination: Outcomes • Research Design • Postal Questionnaire • your initial feedback

  3. Background • ESRC funded: March 2001- Feb. 2002 • Investigate relevance of GIS to the health care sector • GIS as integrated systems for managing, querying, analysing& displaying geographically referenced health data • Discrepancy between use ‘within’ NHS and ‘outside’ in academia

  4. Health based GIS applications

  5. Background • 3 overarching research questions: 1. What are the current (potential) uses of GIS within UK primary & secondary health care sectors? 2. What are the barriers / opportunities towards greater implementation of GIS within NHS? 3. What contribution can GIS make to ‘new’ NHS policy agendas?

  6. Rationale (1) • Research is timely • No specific mention of GIS in recent policy documents (e.g. The New NHS, Our Healthier Nation, Information for Health)despite significant investment during 1990s • There is an urgent need to: • Examine the contention that the potential of GIS in the NHS has not been fully realised • Undertake a comprehensive & vigorous examination of GIS use • Update findings of earlier studies of GIS utilisation

  7. Rationale (2) • There is an urgent need to: • Understand whether GIS implementation varies in different NHS contexts / organisations • Enhance insights into C&IT / management practices • Understand barriers & encourage wider implementation • Consider new technological developments (e.g. NHSnet / WWW)

  8. Aims (1) • To investigate the implications of recent NHS changes on the use of geographically referenced data & GIS technology • To survey levels & variations in the use of GIS within the primary & secondary health care sectors • To build & extend on a previous cross sectional survey of GIS use by health authorities (and beyond) • To review / survey types of GIS applications being used in the light of recent changes in the nature & structure of UK primary & secondary health care

  9. Studies that have used GIS

  10. Aims (2) • To understand reasons for variations in the use & wider implementation of GIS • To examine the nature & extent of intra- / inter-data exchange within the NHS • To consider the potential of GIS in addressing a number of key policy tasks • To assess the potential uses of other NHS C&IT developments & initiatives for sharing health information

  11. Objectives • The provision of greater knowledge & understanding of the reasons for variations in the use of GIS within the NHS • Make preliminary recommendations for increasing GIS awareness within the NHS

  12. Dissemination • Association of Geographical Information, Health Special Interest Group is supporting dissemination • Wide & diverse dissemination plan • Workshop: Project results & best practice examples • AGI report & web-based briefing papers • Conference papers & journal articles • Audience twofold • NHS personnel • Academics: help them target their interests

  13. Research Design (1) • Multi-method approach • Systematic & extensive bibliographic search • Extensive cross-sectional survey • Postal questionnaire using Binley’s as ‘sample’ frame • Health Authorities (England, Wales) and Primary Care Groups (England)/Trusts, Acute/Community Trusts (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and others • Attempt full enumeration • Follow-up non-responses • Scheduled for June • No ethical issues

  14. Research Design (2) • Intensive semi-structured interviews • With key informants • Sampling will be purposive, informed by earlier research activities • Follow up key issues emerging from questionnaire • Thick description • Scheduled for September/December • Case studies • Systematic review of HA, Trust & PCG reports, policy documents, community atlases & occasional papers • Workshop with survey/interview respondents • Project results • ‘Best practice’ case studies • Views of participants

  15. Plan of investigation Now

  16. The Questionnaire • Draft for comment only at this stage! • 7 key sections • Current GIS use • Current GIS applications & future plans • How and why is GIS used • Data issues: barriers/opportunities • GIS support/training needs • Post-survey research activities & dissemination

  17. Intensive interviews: anticipated themes

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