Geographical Mapping and Socio-Demographic Analysis of Out-Patient at A Tertiary Hospital in Chennai

Abstract

There is a lack of comprehensive geographical mapping and socio-demographic analysis of outpatients at a Tertiary Hospital in Chennai. This knowledge gap hinders the understanding of distribution patterns and socio-demographic characteristics of patients visiting the hospital from different geographic locations. The study seeks to enhance healthcare delivery by identifying specific health needs, catchment zones, and areas for improvement in healthcare services. Therefore, the study aims to assess the geographical distribution of outpatients attending the institution, to identify catchment zones and investigate changes in the pattern of geographic distribution of outpatients and to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of outpatients. Geographical data, including addresses, and patient demographic data such as age and gender are collected from the Hospital's Electronic Health Records (EHR) department. The sampling technique employed is an entire population approach, where data is collected and analyzed from every patient attending the outpatient department. MS Excel, Power BI, and ArcGIS are used for data analysis. A total of 40,90,460 patients visited the Outpatient department from 2018 to 2022. Female patients accounted for approximately 57.96% of the total patient visits. Patients between the ages of 31-64 years are the most frequent visitors. General medicine is the most visited department, followed by general surgery and obstetrics & gynecology. The geographical distribution analysis identified Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Vellore as major catchment zones. There is a need for targeted outreach programs and resource allocation to improve healthcare services. The results emphasize the importance of tailoring healthcare to the specific needs of female patients and middle-aged adults. Strengthening the general medicine department and optimizing resource allocation based on patient demand can enhance service delivery. Continuous monitoring and analysis of patient data are essential for adapting healthcare strategies to evolving patient demographics and needs.