Assessing Geographical Clustering of Outpatient Psychiatric: Service Utilization in Philadelphia

Abstract

This study explores a local K-function estimation as a method to identify the spatial clusters of service users of outpatient psychiatric programs in Philadelphia. GIS maps were created to visualize and evaluate the results of K-function analysis. The Medicaid eligible population was used as the control group. The study validated factual information provided in a recent policy brief that reports lower service utilization among African Americans. The subsequent map analysis also indicated that the proximity to service providers and racial composition of the census tract that an eligible individual lives could also affect the decision to be a service user. Specifically, the study found that African Americans living in Caucasian neighborhoods were more likely to be service users while African Americans living in African American neighborhoods were less likely to use services.

Keywords: K-function, Hot-spot, Outpatient psychiatric service utilization, GIS, Racial disparity