Community assessment in a vertically integrated health care system.
OBJECTIVE
In this report, the authors present a representative case of the implementation of community assessment and the subsequent application of findings by a large, vertically integrated health care system.


METHODS
Geographic information systems technology was used to access and analyze secondary data for a geographically defined community. Primary data included a community survey and asset maps.


RESULTS
In this case presentation, information has been collected on demographics, prevalent health problems, access to health care, citizens' perceptions, and community assets. The assessment has been used to plan services for a new health center and to engage community members in health promotion interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Geographically focused assessments help target specific community needs and promote community participation. This project provides a practical application for integrating aspects of medicine and public health.
Plescia
M
M
Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, NC, USA. mplescia@carolinas.org
Koontz
S
S
Laurent
S
S
D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006265:Health Care Coalitions; D006285:Health Planning / Q000379:methods*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008331:Management Information Systems; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D014481:United States