Interactive spatiotemporal modelling of health systems: the SEKS–GUI framework

Abstract

This paper describes the spatiotemporal epistematics knowledge synthesis and graphical user interface (SEKS-GUI) framework and its application in medical geography problems. Based on sound theoretical reasoning, the interactive software library of SEKS-GUI explores heterogeneous (spatially non-homogeneous and temporally non-stationary) health attribute distributions (disease incidence, mortality, human exposure, epidemic propagation etc.); expresses the health system's dependence structure using (ordinary and generalized) spatiotemporal covariance models; synthesizes core knowledge bases, empirical evidence and multi-sourced system uncertainty; and generates a meaningful picture of the real-world system using space-time dependent probability functions and associated maps of health attributes. The implementation stages of the SEKS-GUI library are described in considerable detail using appropriate screens. The wide applicability of SEKS-GUI is demonstrated by reviewing a selection of real-world case studies.