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Spatial Accessibility of Primary Health Care in Rural Areas in Poland

Author

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  • Łukasz Lechowski

    (Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz, Kopcińskiego 31, 90-142 Łódź, Poland)

  • Angelika Jasion

    (Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz, Kopcińskiego 31, 90-142 Łódź, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the spatial accessibility of basic and universal healthcare (understood as primary healthcare (PHC) facilities) in rural statistical localities in Poland. Data from the National Health Fund, Central Statistical Office, National Register of Geographic Names and OpenStreetMap were used in the research. The research was carried out on the basis of modelled distance from the rural statistical localities to the nearest PHC facility. The methods used included network analysis, characteristics of normal point distribution, Theil index, and spatial autocorrelation. Areas where the greatest shortages of access to PHC facilities occurred were indicated on the basis of the analysis of their clustering density. The average distance from rural statistical localities in Poland to PHC facilities is about 5 km. Slightly more than 70% of the distance values are within one standard deviation of the mean. Better access to the examined healthcare facilities is available in the southern and central parts of Poland, while northern and eastern Poland, as well as the border areas, suffer from lower accessibility. Poor access to PHC occurs first of all at the border of Greater Poland Voivodeship with the Kuyavian–Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the border of the Lodz Voivodeship, in Masovian and Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship, and in the ring surrounding Warsaw, as well as in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The research findings can be used to develop strategies to improve the accessibility of primary care facilities in rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Łukasz Lechowski & Angelika Jasion, 2021. "Spatial Accessibility of Primary Health Care in Rural Areas in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9282-:d:627990
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Neutens, Tijs, 2015. "Accessibility, equity and health care: review and research directions for transport geographers," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 14-27.
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    1. Zhao-Jun Wu & Da-Fang Wu & Meng-Jue Zhu & Pei-Fang Ma & Zhao-Cheng Li & Yi-Xuan Liang, 2023. "Regional Differences in the Quality of Rural Development in Guangdong Province and Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Fang Wu & Mingyao Gu & Chenming Zhu & Yingna Qu, 2023. "Temporal-Spatial Evolution and Trend Prediction of the Supply Efficiency of Primary Medical Health Service—An Empirical Study Based on Central and Western Regions of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Sebastian Sołomacha & Paweł Sowa & Łukasz Kiszkiel & Piotr Paweł Laskowski & Maciej Alimowski & Łukasz Szczerbiński & Andrzej Szpak & Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska & Karol Kamiński, 2022. "Patient’s Perspective of Telemedicine in Poland—A Two-Year Pandemic Picture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.

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