FLOWMAP—An Interactive Graphic Mapping Program for Displaying Patient Origin-Destination Patterns in Space and Time

The design and use of an interactive graphics computer program called FLOWMAP is described. FLOWMAP allows the interactive design of flow maps at a graphics terminal using patient origin-destination data. The user has several options available that allow changes in the maps to be made quickly and easily to aid their comprehensibility. Several results from using the options are illustrated. Instructions for preparing the input data and using the program are also included, as are specific hardware and software requirements. Data representing the origin-destination attributes of 34,000 cancer patients in 13 counties in the western part of the State of Washington over the 1974-1978 time period are used to illustrate the capabilities of FLOWMAP.