Abstract
GIS and Health Care: Educational Needs Assessment
Track: Teaching with GIS in Higher Education
Author(s): Cindy Gotz, Suzanne Wechsler, Janice Frates
The purpose of this study was to determine the Geographic Information System (GIS) needs of the health care workforce related to the GIS use, incorporation and training. The healthcare workforce includes health care administration, management and policy. Few published studies focus on current uses of GIS in the health care arena and the requisite workforce education associated with utilizing this powerful tool. A web based, twenty item survey focusing on current GIS use, training and education needs, and qualifications of GIS employees was distributed to a convenience sample of health care professionals working in the state of California. Results indicate that health geoinformatics is an emerging discipline that uses GIS as an innovative scientific and geospatial technology to investigate health issues and to help improve health delivery systems and practices. Outcomes indicated the need to deliver health geoinformatics education to future health care professionals.
Cindy Gotz
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach , California 90808
United States
Phone: 562-985-5414
E-mail: cgotz@csulb.edu
Suzanne Wechsler
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach , California 90840
United States
Phone: 562-985-2356
E-mail: wechsler@csulb.edu
Janice Frates
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach , California 90840
United States
Phone: 562-985-5394
E-mail: jfrates@csulb.edu