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331323
Using Geographic Information System (GIS) Technology to Inform Access to Primary Care/Behavioral Health Services


Monday, November 2, 2015

Sandra Gonzalez, MSSW, LCSW, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Maria Mejia de Grubb, MD, MPH, Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Roger Zoorob, MD MPH FAAFP, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Robert Levine, MD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that all individuals have health insurance and that health care is accessible to all individuals regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status; however, numerous barriers to accessibility continue to exist.  ACA promotes the expansion of medical homes and Accountable Care Organizations to address this barrier.  The legislation also aligns with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) recognizing the importance of increasing access to behavioral health services. 

Methods:  We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map existing community health centers and mental health and substance abuse services according to census tract in Harris, County, TX. 

Findings: Preliminary results show that traditional primary care settings are more likely than specialty clinics to be located in underserved areas. 

Implications: These descriptive data are consistent with the hypothesis that GIS methods can be used to inform patients and providers about the location of community resources and hazards.  Intervention studies designed a priori are needed in order to determine the benefits of this information in real-world practice.  Policy-makers and clinicians would benefit from a greater understanding of the practical uses of GIS for identifying possible gaps and areas of need in underserved communities.  Advocacy for, and better placement of, patient centered medical homes (PCMH), offering comprehensive care, including mental health and substance abuse services, may create greater opportunities for access.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss how GIS can be used to inform a more comprehensive health policy. Identify three ways that GIS can be used to inform patients and providers about the location of community resources and hazards.

Keyword(s): Policy/Policy Development, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been co-investigator on several federally funded training grants related to the patient centered medical home, prevention, intervention, and treatment of FASDs, and screening and brief intervention. I am also a practicing clinician and have successfully implemented behavioral health care in two primary care systems. My scientific interests include policies related to mental health parity, health disparities, and prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3216.1: Poster #4A // Primary Care and Vulnerable Populations