Netzwerkanalysen in der regionalen Versorgungsforschung. Das Beispiel der dermatologischen Versorgung in der Metropolregion Hamburg
Standard
Netzwerkanalysen in der regionalen Versorgungsforschung. Das Beispiel der dermatologischen Versorgung in der Metropolregion Hamburg. / Augustin, J; Austermann, J; Erasmi, S.
In: GESUNDHEITSWESEN, Vol. 81, No. 1, 01.2019, p. 50-57.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Netzwerkanalysen in der regionalen Versorgungsforschung. Das Beispiel der dermatologischen Versorgung in der Metropolregion Hamburg
AU - Augustin, J
AU - Austermann, J
AU - Erasmi, S
N1 - © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
PY - 2019/1
Y1 - 2019/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: One of the overall objectives of the legislator is to ensure an overall "homogeneous", and easily accessible medical care for the population. The physician-patient ratio can be used to describe the regional health care situation. But this method does not provide information concerning the availability of, for instance, the nearest doctor. Therefore, further parameters such as accessibility must be taken into consideration. For this purpose, network analyses are an appropriate method. The objective of this study is to present methodological tools to evaluate the healthcare situation in the metropolitan region of Hamburg, primarily focusing on accessibility using dermatologists as an example.METHODS: Analyzing data of 20 counties, the geographical distribution of N=357 dermatologists and the physician-patient ratio were calculated. In a second step, a network analysis regarding accessibility was performed. In order to calculate accessibility, address data (physicians) were transformed into coordinates, consisting of defined places (N=303) and restrictions (e. g. speed, turn restrictions) of the network. The calculation of population-based accessibility is based on grid cells for the population density.RESULTS: Despite adequacy of the overall medical situation, differences in the availability of the nearest dermatologists in the metropolitan region are remarkable, particularly when use of public transport is taken into consideration. In some counties, over 60% of the population require at least one hour to get to the nearest dermatologist using public transportation. In rural regions within the metropolitan area are particularly affected.CONCLUSION: The network analysis has shown that the choice and availability of transportation in combination with the location (rural/urban) is essential for health care access. Especially elderly people in rural areas with restricted mobility are at a disadvantage. Therefore, modern health care approaches (e. g. telemedicine) are necessary to optimize the health care situation in rural areas. Network analyses can make a valuable methodological contribution to the analysis of regional health care disparities.
AB - BACKGROUND: One of the overall objectives of the legislator is to ensure an overall "homogeneous", and easily accessible medical care for the population. The physician-patient ratio can be used to describe the regional health care situation. But this method does not provide information concerning the availability of, for instance, the nearest doctor. Therefore, further parameters such as accessibility must be taken into consideration. For this purpose, network analyses are an appropriate method. The objective of this study is to present methodological tools to evaluate the healthcare situation in the metropolitan region of Hamburg, primarily focusing on accessibility using dermatologists as an example.METHODS: Analyzing data of 20 counties, the geographical distribution of N=357 dermatologists and the physician-patient ratio were calculated. In a second step, a network analysis regarding accessibility was performed. In order to calculate accessibility, address data (physicians) were transformed into coordinates, consisting of defined places (N=303) and restrictions (e. g. speed, turn restrictions) of the network. The calculation of population-based accessibility is based on grid cells for the population density.RESULTS: Despite adequacy of the overall medical situation, differences in the availability of the nearest dermatologists in the metropolitan region are remarkable, particularly when use of public transport is taken into consideration. In some counties, over 60% of the population require at least one hour to get to the nearest dermatologist using public transportation. In rural regions within the metropolitan area are particularly affected.CONCLUSION: The network analysis has shown that the choice and availability of transportation in combination with the location (rural/urban) is essential for health care access. Especially elderly people in rural areas with restricted mobility are at a disadvantage. Therefore, modern health care approaches (e. g. telemedicine) are necessary to optimize the health care situation in rural areas. Network analyses can make a valuable methodological contribution to the analysis of regional health care disparities.
KW - Aged
KW - Germany
KW - Health Services Accessibility
KW - Health Services Research
KW - Healthcare Disparities
KW - Humans
KW - Physicians
KW - Rural Population
U2 - 10.1055/s-0042-116591
DO - 10.1055/s-0042-116591
M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
C2 - 27756084
VL - 81
SP - 50
EP - 57
JO - GESUNDHEITSWESEN
JF - GESUNDHEITSWESEN
SN - 0941-3790
IS - 1
ER -
