Traditional and Nontraditional Collaborations to Improve Population Health Using Geospatial Information System Maps: Analysis of the Opioid Crisis

• Published in: Journal of pediatric health care Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 309 - 322
• Main Authors: Hallas, Donna, Klar, Robin Toft, Baldyga, Julie A., Rattner, Ilene, Waingortin, Ryan, Fletcher, Jason
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.05.2019
• Subjects: geospatial information systems; opioid misuse; opioid prescribing practices; Population health; geospatial information systems; opioid prescribing practices; opioid misuse; Population health
• ISSN: 0891-5245; 1532-656X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.10.006

The study aims were to analyze interprofessional practice collaborations among traditional and nontraditional health care providers and to educate nurse practitioner preceptors and students on population health, specifically, implementation of geospatial information system (GIS) maps and the correlation with the opioid crisis. A descriptive analysis was used to examine New York State data on the opioid crisis in comparison to outcome data from GIS maps of opioid use in two boroughs in New York City. Web-based modules were designed for analysis of GIS maps of opioid use near practice settings. New York State data provided context for local opioid use, while GIS maps identified specific areas of the New York City boroughs that were most affected by the opioid epidemic. The importance of local GIS maps is that the information is available in real-time, and thus interventions can be designed, evaluated, and changed quickly to meet the immediate needs of the community.