Spatial Analysis of Medical Service Accessibility in the Context of Quality of Life and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Olsztyn County, Poland

Iwona Cieślak (), Bartłomiej Eźlakowski, Andrzej Biłozor and Adam Senetra
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Iwona Cieślak: Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Michała Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Bartłomiej Eźlakowski: Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Michała Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Andrzej Biłozor: Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Michała Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Adam Senetra: Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Michała Oczapowskiego 2, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: This study investigates the accessibility of public healthcare services in Olsztyn County, a major urban center in the Warmia and Mazury region of Poland. The aim was to develop a methodological framework using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools and spatial data to assess the local availability of healthcare infrastructure. The analysis included key facilities such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and specialized outpatient services. A spatial accessibility indicator was constructed to evaluate and compare access levels across municipalities. The results show a clear disparity between urban and rural areas, with significantly better access in cities. Several rural municipalities were found to have limited or no access to essential healthcare services. These findings highlight the uneven spatial distribution of medical infrastructure and point to the need for targeted strategies to improve service availability in underserved areas. The proposed methodological approach may support future studies and inform local and regional planning aimed at reducing healthcare inequalities and improving access for all residents, regardless of their location. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence emphasizing the role of spatial analysis in assessing public service accessibility and supports the development of more equitable healthcare systems at the local level.

Keywords: accessibility of healthcare services; geospatial analyses; quality of life; sustainable development; spatial equity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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