Development of a Methodology to Use Geographical Information Systems and Administrative Data to Measure and Improve Inequity in Health Service Distribution

Abstract

A geographic information system was used to measure geographical access to general surgical services in the Champlain Local Health Integration Network. An origin-destination matrix approach was used with discharge data for Champlain residents using the Ontario Road Network file and OC Transpo trip planner for public transportation trips with in the city of Ottawa. GIS showed that adding surgical services to the Renfrew Victoria Hospital would be the best location to achieve the goal of reduced drive times for Champlain LHIN residents. However, this hospital was ill suited to take on additional surgeries due to high occupancy rates, a lack of space and surgeons. Differences in neighbourhoods' geographical access (drive and transit time) to the General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital were found. However, it was the more affluent neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods with lower percent of recent immigrants that had longer drive times and transit times.