A scoping review of qualitative geographic information systems in studies addressing health issues. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Jisun; Kim, Dong Ha; Lee, Jihyun; Cheon, Youngseo; Yoo, Seunghyun
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 314(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Qualitative geographic information systems -- Scoping review -- Health issue -- Determinants of health; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115472
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: Qualitative Geographic Information Systems (QGIS) represent an emerging geospatial and qualitative approach to comprehensively understand health issues. This scoping review gathers evidence from 38 articles to illuminate when and how QGIS is used to address health issues. QGIS can contribute to recent health-related studies focusing on determinants of health and health equity at the community rather than individual level, highlight relationships between place and health, and encourage participation from people and communities in health-decision making. If more studies attempt to specify detailed data analysis methods and develop ways to use rich contexts of qualitative data, QGIS can provide greater scope for those working to solve health problems. Highlights: QGIS are emerging as comprehensive methods for the investigation of health issue. QGIS enhance understanding of place, an important health determinant. QGIS have potential in participatory health research and practice. Clearly defined analysis methods ensure transparency and reproducibility of QGIS. QGIS′ context-oriented qualitative data has potential to better inform health issues.