Public Health
Addressing Accessibility Concerns at the South County Health Center (2013)
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Students: Mina Alaghband, Juan Reynoso, Will Troppe
Partner: Jonathan Mesinger, Priscilla Padilla-Romero, Linda Franco (San Mateo Medical Center Clinics Manager, Fair Oaks Clinic, Willow Clinic, The Stanford Geospatial Center)
The San Mateo Medical Center is consolidating three of its existing clinics serving southern San Mateo County low-income communities into one brand-new facility in the unincorporated district of North Fair Oaks. While the move carries numerous benefits including an expanded list of patient services, it raises accessibility concerns for patients who lack time and money and now need to travel farther to receive treatment. Addressing accessibility concerns is critical to the clinic’s longevity, as patients have other health care options that may become more convenient rather than travel long distances to access the new clinic. Additionally, the site of the new clinic leads to several concerns regarding the intersection with Middlefield Road and visibility from the street. Solving accessibility problems is critical to the success of the new facility.
A combination of analyses of patient address data using ArcGIS and in-person workshops with clinic employees yielded many opportunities for insight and potential solutions. ArcGIS enabled us to help the clinic understand the walking and driving range from the new facility outwards, and the proportion of patients who live within these ranges. In-person workshops with clinic employees permitted us to speak directly to people who interact daily with patients. They have their own accessibility concerns from their personal experiences and were able to share this and potential solutions with us.
We determined a list of priorities as construction continues and the South County Health Center approaches its opening ceremony in the Fall of 2013. Some accessibility improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive, while others are more difficult and costly. Urgency is also a factor in our recommendations; for example, some changes must be made before construction begins on the parking lot at the new clinic this summer. We are delivering these findings to clinic staff and supervisors with implementation recommendations.
Partner: Jonathan Mesinger, Priscilla Padilla-Romero, Linda Franco (San Mateo Medical Center Clinics Manager, Fair Oaks Clinic, Willow Clinic, The Stanford Geospatial Center)
The San Mateo Medical Center is consolidating three of its existing clinics serving southern San Mateo County low-income communities into one brand-new facility in the unincorporated district of North Fair Oaks. While the move carries numerous benefits including an expanded list of patient services, it raises accessibility concerns for patients who lack time and money and now need to travel farther to receive treatment. Addressing accessibility concerns is critical to the clinic’s longevity, as patients have other health care options that may become more convenient rather than travel long distances to access the new clinic. Additionally, the site of the new clinic leads to several concerns regarding the intersection with Middlefield Road and visibility from the street. Solving accessibility problems is critical to the success of the new facility.
A combination of analyses of patient address data using ArcGIS and in-person workshops with clinic employees yielded many opportunities for insight and potential solutions. ArcGIS enabled us to help the clinic understand the walking and driving range from the new facility outwards, and the proportion of patients who live within these ranges. In-person workshops with clinic employees permitted us to speak directly to people who interact daily with patients. They have their own accessibility concerns from their personal experiences and were able to share this and potential solutions with us.
We determined a list of priorities as construction continues and the South County Health Center approaches its opening ceremony in the Fall of 2013. Some accessibility improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive, while others are more difficult and costly. Urgency is also a factor in our recommendations; for example, some changes must be made before construction begins on the parking lot at the new clinic this summer. We are delivering these findings to clinic staff and supervisors with implementation recommendations.