Teaching social determinants through geographic information system mapping

Abstract

Background: Many institutions in undergraduate medical education have developed unique curricula to teach social determinants of health (SDOH). Geographic information system (GIS) mapping is one tool that learners could use to understand our built environment and its correlation with health outcomes through data analysis, visualization and active learning. Approach: At the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, medical students participate in a 4-year longitudinal curriculum on social and health systems science with the final year dedicated to self-directed learning. This final year course incorporates a GIS-based online module to help students apply their understanding of the health impacts of SDOH. Students create online maps with simulated patient data and identify ‘hotspots’ with map overlays using ArcGIS software. Students write reflections on their maps based on the implications of SDOH. Thematic analysis of these reflections identified patterns within the narrative data. Evaluation: From March 2020 to February 2021, 148 fourth-year medical students participated in the GIS learning module. Five major themes were identified: Explored Social Determinant Topics, Inclusion of Geo-mapping in Curriculum, Utility of Geo-mapping in Healthcare, Future Application of ArcGIS for Personal Use, Impressions of ArcGIS Software. Students showed engagement and interest in the exercise, and responses were overall positive. Responses showed understanding of the application of ArcGIS and demonstrated knowledge of social determinants of health. Implications: A self-directed, active learning online module using GIS mapping offers a generally popular, eye-opening and unique method for teaching SDOH in undergraduate medical education.