Oral

Geographic information systems (GIS) have become increasingly more important in the health and healthcare research and practices. GIS systems have much more to offer that digital cartography function. They can potentially act as powerful, evidence-based tools for early problem solving and detection; inform and educate professionals and the public, help predict outcomes before any financial commitments; and continually monitor and analyze changes in population health. This session will focus on practical, real-world scenarios and examples that incorporate different GIS practices, varying system architectural models, and community health and health care practices to utilize health outcomes data and local public health information. Additionally, the use of web-based systems, such as service-oriented architecture, is discussed and its ability to facilities data sharing between clinical care and public health, such as with immunization information as well as using robust methodologies to assess and analyze data to create more effective public health management strategies. The continually evolving needs of public health, coupled with the ever-changing environment of health information technology can potentially become burdensome in terms of financial resources. A presentation on the ways public health can access funding under the stimulus legislation for the development, implementation and use of the system is also part of this session.

Session Objectives: 1. Define GIS systems and their use in public health 2. Describe the various ways that GIS systems are used in public health apart from digital cartography 3. Explain how to develop various system architectures to faciltiate data sharing between clincial and public health data

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)