title: Geospatial analysis and distribution patterns of home nursing care in a metropolitan area - a large-scale analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study focuses on home nursing care distribution in an urban setting in Germany.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A shortage of nursing care workforce is present in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  A geospatial analysis was performed to examine distribution patterns at the district level in Frankfurt, Germany (n = 46 districts) and factors were analysed influencing the location choice of home nursing care providers (n = 151). Furthermore, within the analysis we focused on the population aged over 65 years to model the demand for nursing care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed a tendency of home nursing care providers to be located near the city centre (centripetal distribution pattern). However, the demand for care showed more inconsistent patterns. Still, a centripetal distribution pattern of demand could be stated. Compared with the control groups (e.g. acute hospitals and pharmacies) similar geographical distribution patterns were present. However, the location of home nursing care providers was less influenced by demand compared with the control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The supply of nursing care was unevenly distributed in this metropolitan setting, but still matched the demand for nursing care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the rapidly changing health care environments policy, regulations must be (re-)evaluated critically to improve the management and delivery of nursing care provision.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boll
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Groneberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002958:City Planning / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003710:Demography; D056448:Earth Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
keywords: access; distribution; location choice; nursing care