Use of Floating Catchment Area models to investigate trends in ‘extended hours’ GP provision

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Abstract

In Wales, as elsewhere there are concerns surrounding the difficulties in obtaining timely appointments to primary health care services. Timely access to primary health care services has been identified in a number of studies as a contributory factor influencing patient decisions to self-refer to secondary care. Such studies have drawn attention to the need for more research on potential inequalities in primary care provision. In this paper we highlight the use of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based tools that permit a consideration of population-to-provider ratios over space to examine variations in geographical accessibility to GP surgeries that provided extended hours of opening for patient appointments. Access to GP appointments outside of so-called ‘core’ hours shows considerable spatial variation within Wales and our findings highlight spatial mismatches of ‘extended’ hour’s provision available at GP surgeries. GIS tools should be used by planners to target patients whose needs are not currently being met by existing GP operating hours or for employed people who require appointments outside their working hours. These tools should inform future policy concerning the collaborative delivery of services and the exact choice of surgeries or hubs selected for extended access provision.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationApplied Geography Commission meeting
Subtitle of host publicationGran Sasso Science Institute
Place of PublicationL'Aquila Italy
Publication statusUnpublished - 17 Jun 2019
EventApplied Geography Commission meeting - June 17th to 19th, 2019) - Gran Sasso Science Institute, L'Aquila, Italy
Duration: 17 Jun 201919 Jun 2019
https://agcigu.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/announcing-agc-conference-2019-laquila-italy/

Conference

ConferenceApplied Geography Commission meeting - June 17th to 19th, 2019)
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityL'Aquila
Period17/06/1919/06/19
Internet address

Keywords

  • Extended hours of provision;
  • General practitioners;
  • Primary healthcare;
  • Spatial accessibility;
  • Two‐step floating catchment area (2SFCA) models

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