1. Write a two (3) page paper summarizing your understanding of how a Geographic Information System (GIS) is used in Health Care today. Consider potential challenges, offer possible uses and solutions how health care managers could use a GIS to make better informed decisions.

In particular, I am looking for you to begin making a connection with GIS in health care by

understanding and expressing your own ideas and thoughts not just something you have

seen in your research. Begin the process of thinking like a health care manager and try to apply what you see, read and hear about GIS in health care.

Objectives

Broadly define GIS

Demonstrate how GIS can be used for health care solutions

Learn how to research the field of GIS

Resources

Broad research to help you understand the field of Geographic Information Science is key to your health care decision making foundation. Here are a few introductions to GIS used within health care. Conduct your own search to learn more. Explore the websites provided below as each will provide you a greater insight into this emerging field of study.

1.Challenge or opportunity? GIS has only recently been adopted in health care starting with disease research and global public health. As the science has grown, primarily due to the analytic power of computer systems, programmers and application developers have spent the last 8-10 years focused on the health sector.

3. Industry leader speaks: Bill Davenhall, ESRI Global Marketing Manager, Health and Human Services Solutions provides a perspective how GIS can be used to make informed decisions.

4. Here are some web links to help you understand the topic of GIS. You may also do your own research using Internet resources and the Dell Webb Library Literature Search.

http://www.esri.com/industries/health/ (Links to an external site.)

http://www.dartmouthatlas.org/

http://www.healthysanbernardinocounty.org/index.php (Links to an external site.)

(5 extra credit points for using the Dell Webb Library, adding citations and a brief statement about your literature search)