A scoping review of qualitative geographic information systems in studies addressing health issues

Jisun Kim; Dong Ha Kim; Jihyun Lee; Youngseo Cheon; Seunghyun Yoo

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115472

A scoping review of qualitative geographic information systems in studies addressing health issues

Soc Sci Med. 2022 Dec:314:115472. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115472. Epub 2022 Oct 28.

Authors

Jisun Kim¹, Dong Ha Kim², Jihyun Lee¹, Youngseo Cheon³, Seunghyun Yoo⁴

Affiliations

¹ 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-ku, Seoul National University, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Building 221, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
² 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-ku, Seoul National University, Institute of Health and Environment, Building 220, Room 228-3, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
³ 253 Ayeon-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju Research Institute, Jeju, 63147, Republic of Korea.
⁴ 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-ku, Seoul National University, Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Building 221, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-ku, Seoul National University, Institute of Health and Environment, Building 220, Room 228-3, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: syoo@snu.ac.kr.

PMID: 36334495
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115472

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.

Keywords: Determinants of health; Health issue; Qualitative geographic information systems; Scoping review.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Data Accuracy
Geographic Information Systems*
Health Equity*
Humans
Research Design