Assessment of geographic accessibility in hierarchical health systems using the p-median model: an application in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare the distribution of hospital units according to different degrees of specialization in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, based on an application of the p-median hierarchical model in three levels. The p-median model is used to determine the units' location, following by a comparison of the population's mean distance to reach the medical units in two scenarios, the current one and the simulation. A quantitative indicator of accessibility is proposed and used to assess accessibility according to the current and simulated distributions. The study aims to detect underserved regions and provides a tool to aid health managers' decision-making for possible interventions in the system in order to make it more homogeneous and accessible to the population

Health Services Accessibility; Equity in Health; Residence Characteristic