Using participatory design to develop (public) health decision support systems through GIS

Area of Science:

• Public Health Informatics
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Many public health organizations are 'data rich' but 'information poor', struggling to convert collected data into actionable insights for decision-making.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping tools offer potential for research transfer and data utilization.
• Barriers to GIS adoption in the non-profit health sector include financial constraints and the need for user-friendly tools for non-specialists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on Phase 1 of an ongoing project focused on the participatory design (PD) process of developing a collaborative web-based GIS tool.
• To identify barriers to map production and develop a suitable web-based GIS tool for data analysts and managers in Ontario Early Year Centres (OEYCs).
• To guide the development using the Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU) conceptual framework.

Main Methods:

• A case study design utilizing multiple cases to enhance reliability, focusing on data analyst and manager dyads within selected OEYCs.
• Nine producer/user pair participants engaged in a participatory design process to co-develop the GIS tool.
• The study aimed to identify barriers to map production and create a user-centered web-based GIS solution.

Main Results:

• Significant variations in OEYC structures led to inconsistent use of mapping software and limited data/map sharing among analysts.
• A web-based GIS tool, EYEMAP, was developed through PD, offering ease of use, data protection, and controlled sharing capabilities.
• EYEMAP incorporates interoperability, supporting various standard mapping file formats (ESRI, MapInfo, CSV), and includes training to ensure adherence to cartographic conventions.

Conclusions:

• The PD process facilitated identification of key user needs: enhanced data/map sharing and interoperability.
• Challenges included difficulties in acquiring skilled development personnel and external data sharing barriers beyond the tool's scope.
• The real-time nature of PD presented both strengths (user buy-in) and limitations (maintaining engagement amidst organizational changes).