38916, Calhoun City, Mississippi Arthritis Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Arthritis Score in 38916, Calhoun City, Mississippi is 10 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 87.23 percent of the residents in 38916 has some form of health insurance. 51.03 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 47.98 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 38916 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 1,263 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 38916. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 715 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 88 health care providers accessible to residents in 38916, Calhoun City, Mississippi.

**Arthritis Score Analysis: Doctors in ZIP Code 38916 and Primary Care Availability in Calhoun City**

Analyzing the availability of healthcare, particularly for conditions like arthritis, in a specific geographic area requires a multi-faceted approach. This analysis will focus on ZIP Code 38916, which encompasses Calhoun City, Mississippi, examining the availability of primary care physicians (PCPs), the physician-to-patient ratio, the presence of specialized arthritis care, telemedicine adoption, and the integration of mental health resources. The goal is to create an "Arthritis Score" that reflects the accessibility and quality of care for individuals suffering from arthritis within this community.

The foundation of any healthcare analysis starts with the PCP landscape. Calhoun City, a rural community, likely faces challenges common to such areas. The physician-to-patient ratio is a critical metric. A low ratio, meaning fewer doctors per capita, often leads to longer wait times for appointments, reduced access to preventative care, and increased pressure on existing physicians. Data from the Mississippi State Department of Health and publicly available databases, like the U.S. Census Bureau, are essential for determining this ratio. Information on the number of active PCPs within the ZIP code, coupled with the population data, will provide a baseline understanding of accessibility.

Beyond the sheer number of PCPs, the type of practices available is crucial. Are there solo practitioners, or are there group practices? Group practices can often offer a wider range of services and potentially better coverage, as physicians can share on-call responsibilities and provide specialized expertise. The presence of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or a rural health clinic would significantly boost the score, as these facilities often provide comprehensive care, including chronic disease management, to underserved populations.

The presence of specialized arthritis care is a key factor in the Arthritis Score. Ideally, a rheumatologist, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, would be readily accessible within the ZIP code or a reasonable driving distance. The absence of a rheumatologist necessitates patients traveling to larger cities for specialized care, which can be a significant barrier to access, especially for individuals with mobility limitations or transportation challenges. The availability of physical therapy and occupational therapy services, crucial for managing arthritis symptoms, also impacts the score.

Telemedicine adoption is another critical element. Telemedicine, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, can be a game-changer in rural areas. It can provide access to specialists, facilitate medication management, and offer virtual consultations, reducing the need for travel and improving patient convenience. The Arthritis Score will consider the extent to which local practices offer telemedicine services, including virtual appointments, remote monitoring of patients, and online patient portals for communication and information access.

Mental health resources are often overlooked but are integral to comprehensive arthritis care. Chronic pain and the limitations imposed by arthritis can significantly impact mental well-being, leading to depression, anxiety, and social isolation. The Arthritis Score will assess the availability of mental health services within the community, including access to therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists. Integration of mental health services within primary care practices or the presence of collaborative care models, where mental health professionals work alongside primary care physicians, will positively impact the score.

Standout practices, if any, will be identified. These are practices that demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care, embrace innovative technologies, or offer specialized services. For example, a practice that actively utilizes patient portals for communication, offers extended hours, or has a strong focus on patient education and self-management strategies would receive a higher rating. The Arthritis Score will reflect these positive attributes.

The analysis will consider the overall quality of care. This includes assessing the availability of diagnostic tools, such as X-ray machines and laboratory services, which are essential for diagnosing and monitoring arthritis. The score will also consider the practice’s adherence to evidence-based guidelines for arthritis management, as well as patient satisfaction surveys and reviews.

To develop the Arthritis Score, each of the factors discussed above will be assigned a weighted value based on its importance. The physician-to-patient ratio, the presence of specialized care, telemedicine adoption, and mental health resources will all be given significant weight. The score will be calculated based on the data gathered and the weighted values assigned to each factor. The final score will be a numerical representation of the accessibility and quality of arthritis care in ZIP Code 38916.

The analysis should also consider potential disparities in access to care. Rural communities often face challenges related to socioeconomic factors, transportation, and insurance coverage. The Arthritis Score will take these factors into account, recognizing that access to care may vary depending on an individual's circumstances.

The final Arthritis Score will provide a valuable snapshot of the healthcare landscape in Calhoun City. It will identify strengths and weaknesses in the system and highlight areas where improvements are needed. This information can be used by healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members to improve access to care and improve the quality of life for individuals living with arthritis.

The creation of this analysis would be greatly enhanced by visualizing the data on a map. CartoChrome maps can provide a dynamic and interactive way to explore the healthcare landscape in Calhoun City. By mapping the locations of primary care physicians, specialists, and other healthcare resources, CartoChrome can reveal patterns and identify areas where access to care is limited. The ability to overlay demographic data, such as population density and socioeconomic indicators, would further enhance the analysis, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the community.

**Call to Action:**

Want to visualize the healthcare landscape in Calhoun City and gain deeper insights into the accessibility of care for arthritis patients? Explore the power of CartoChrome maps to create a dynamic and interactive representation of the data. Contact us today to learn more about how CartoChrome can help you analyze and understand the healthcare environment in your community.