Traditional and Nontraditional Collaborations to Improve Population Health Using Geospatial Information System Maps: Analysis of the Opioid Crisis

Abstract Introduction The study aims were to analyze interprofessional practice collaborations among traditional and nontraditional health care providers and to educate nurse practitioner preceptors and students on population health, specifically, implementation of geospatial information system (GIS) maps and the correlation with the opioid crisis. Methods A descriptive analysis was used to examine New York State data on the opioid crisis in comparison to outcome data from GIS maps of opioid use in two boroughs in New York City. Web-based modules were designed for analysis of GIS maps of opioid use near practice settings. Results New York State data provided context for local opioiduse, while GIS maps identified specific areas of the New York City boroughs that were most affected by the opioid epidemic. Discussion The importance of local GIS maps is that the information is available in real-time, and thus interventions can be designed, evaluated, and changed quickly to meet the immediate needs of the community.