A Spatial Analysis of Cellular Signal Strength in Western Wisconsin

Keywords: healthcare, telehealth, cellular service data, rural
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Across the United States, rural areas have lower levels of education, higher unemployment, and fewer economic opportunities compared to urban areas (Singh & Siahpush 2014). Rural residents have lower levels of access to health care and health services, and health insurance coverage rates are lower as well; as a result, the health of rural residents is poorer compared to their urban counterparts (Laditka et al. 2009). For Wisconsin, the disparities between urban and rural populations are stark. National estimates identify about 20 percent of the U.S. population as rural; in Wisconsin that number is even greater at 26 percent. The lack of healthcare providers, longer distances to healthcare, and lower economic status for rural populations places extra burdens for both providers and patients to meet and receive needed care. Telehealth, through synchronous and asynchronous remote appointments, provides health care providers opportunities to connect with patients outside of physical office visits, especially in rural areas.

Coverage maps provided by major carriers are overall generalized, therefore the use of direct telehealth options using video cannot be properly assessed. This study will focus on measuring cellular telephone strength in rural areas through the direct collection of cellular phone strength for both AT&T and Verizon phones. Data will be used to interpolate strength for areas not along roads and a probability map will be generated using a Kriging method. Resulting maps will aid health care providers with more specific information to best provide patients the best possible telehealth option.