[h1]Introduction[/h2]

There is no doubt that technology has made a significant impact in the medical world. Advancements range from those that improve the comfort of many patients to those that extend their lives. Perhaps one of the most interesting technologies that has emerged onto the scene is one meant to more efficiently address geographical links to illnesses: geographic information systems, or GIS.

Geographic information systems are a sophisticated form of mapping software that enables users to visually display input data associated with a designated project. Displaying data visually allows users to see geographical groupings of patient demographic data in a new way. Furthermore, the program allows users to run statistical tests and answer ‘what if’ questions that can arise as a result of direct or indirect changes that take place.

Here are five potential benefits of integrating geographic information systems in healthcare IT:



1. Identifying Health Trends
The software offers healthcare professionals the ability to identify health related trends and more thoroughly target healing efforts based upon those results. One example of this in action comes from the University of Southern California’s Public Health Program, which utilizes geographic information systems in many of its different initiatives, including the Cancer Surveillance Program.

The program assess the demographic data, such as home address, workplace, cancer type, and even data collected from wearable health tech of all patients entered into the system. Data is then georeferenced and mapped. Healthcare professionals can visualize the locations of patients and determine if there are clusters of specific types of cancer associated with similar working conditions or residential areas. One USC study found an association between homes downwind of heavily sprayed fields and higher incidences of prostate cancer.

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