The Spatial Pattern of Complementary and Alternative Medical Offices Across Ontario and Within Intermediate-Sized Metropolitan Areas

A spatial analysis of the geographic distribution of musculoskeletal and general practice healthcare clinics in Auckland, New Zealand

“…Creation of a 'nearest neighbour' index using a GIS indicated if the observed pattern of location points deviated from a theoretical random distribution sufficiently to be considered significantly clustered or dispersed in space (Mitchell, 2005). The CAM clinics included in the analysis were shown to have a strong tendency to be clustered, indicative of evidence of a localisation economy (Meyer, 2008). Additionally, the location of these clusters was consistently found within central downtown areas, implying that CAM clinic locations may also be influenced by the advantages of an urbanisation economy (Meyer, 2008).…”

“…The CAM clinics included in the analysis were shown to have a strong tendency to be clustered, indicative of evidence of a localisation economy (Meyer, 2008). Additionally, the location of these clusters was consistently found within central downtown areas, implying that CAM clinic locations may also be influenced by the advantages of an urbanisation economy (Meyer, 2008).…”

“…These attributes are typical of an area that can be characterised as having an urbanisation economy (Meyer, 2008). The CBD clinic clustering pattern shown in the kernel density, Gi* and LMI analyses conducted here therefore suggest that these businesses are ideally located to enjoy the advantages of an urbanisation economy.…”

“…For example, clinic location may be influenced by the location of other businesses offering similar services. Meyer (2008) discusses the idea of agglomeration economies, or the benefits and/or cost savings that businesses derive by clustering within a geographic area, which are commonly described in two ways: localisation economies and urbanisation economies. Localisation economies occur when similar businesses producing similar things cluster together in space and benefit from proximity advantages such as the ability to participate in industry-specific knowledge exchanges (Moomaw, 1988).…”

“…Urbanisation economies are the advantages of scale that extend to all businesses in urban areas, with such advantages including a varied workforce, developed infrastructure, high levels of business services and interactions and a large local market (Moomaw, 1988). Meyer (2008) used GIS to determine if there was evidence of an agglomeration economy amongst CAM (in this instance, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, homeopathic and naturopathic) clinics in four cities in Ontario, Canada. Creation of a 'nearest neighbour' index using a GIS indicated if the observed pattern of location points deviated from a theoretical random distribution sufficiently to be considered significantly clustered or dispersed in space (Mitchell, 2005).…”