Locating community health care centres in rural Saskatchewan: the case of the Living Sky Health District.
Using the Living Sky Health District in rural Saskatchewan as a sample case, this paper illustrates and discusses the use of location theory modelling tools as an aid to achieving high levels of efficiency coupled with administrator-determined levels of access. The paper begins by examining access issues as they affect location decisions. One of the empirical pillars of the paper is the well-documented idea that people will travel great distances in situations of acute circumstances, but are unwilling to travel far for important preventive care and monitoring of some chronic conditions. The study continues by presenting a non-technical overview of location theory which demonstrates the applicability of location modelling to the present problem; several possible location scenarios for Living Sky Health District are calculated, the most appropriate of which will depend on the goals and priorities of the district board. Finally, the study's results and more general conclusions are presented and discussed.
Backman
A M
AM
Health Care Administration Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Rigby
J M
JM
Rice
M D
MD
Rivers
L M
LM
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003625:Data Collection; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D008377:Maps as Topic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012423:Rural Health; D012525:Saskatchewan; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data