Abstract
Background:
Changing locations disrupts the populations served by primary health care clinics, and such changes may differentially affect access to care for vulnerable populations.
Methods:
Online geographic information systems mapping tools were used to define how the relocation of a family medicine center impacted access to care for black and Hispanic patients with chronic disease.
Results:
Maps created from practice management data revealed a distinct shift in black and Hispanic patients with chronic disease being served in the new location.
Conclusions:
Geographic information systems tools are valuable aids in defining changing service areas of primary health care clinics.
MeSH terms
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Black People / statistics & numerical data*
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Black or African American
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Chronic Disease / epidemiology*
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Chronic Disease / ethnology
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Continuity of Patient Care / statistics & numerical data
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Family Practice / education
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Family Practice / statistics & numerical data*
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Geographic Information Systems*
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Health Facility Moving / statistics & numerical data*
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Health Planning Guidelines
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Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
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Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
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Humans
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Internship and Residency
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Ohio
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Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
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Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
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Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data*