28663, Piney Creek, North Carolina Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 28663, Piney Creek, North Carolina is 19 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 84.93 percent of the residents in 28663 has some form of health insurance. 46.68 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 56.13 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 28663 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 112 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 28663. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 220 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 244 health care providers accessible to residents in 28663, Piney Creek, North Carolina.

The task of assessing healthcare accessibility and quality, particularly concerning asthma management, within a specific geographic area like ZIP Code 28663, requires a multi-faceted approach. This analysis focuses on the availability of primary care physicians, the resources dedicated to asthma care, and the integration of innovative technologies like telemedicine, while also considering the often-overlooked connection between asthma and mental health. We will then apply this analysis specifically to Piney Creek, a community within this ZIP code, to offer a localized understanding.

Physician-to-patient ratios are a critical indicator of healthcare access. A low ratio, indicating a greater number of patients per physician, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, potentially delaying necessary asthma care. Analyzing the physician-to-patient ratio in ZIP Code 28663 requires accessing data from sources like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This data would reveal the number of primary care physicians, including family medicine doctors, internal medicine specialists, and pediatricians, and compare it to the estimated population within the ZIP code. Piney Creek's specific population would then be factored in to assess its local access.

The availability of primary care is crucial because it often serves as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing asthma symptoms. Primary care physicians are responsible for diagnosing asthma, developing treatment plans, and providing ongoing management. A shortage of primary care physicians in Piney Creek would significantly hinder asthma patients' ability to receive timely and appropriate care. This situation could lead to increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations, which would ultimately increase healthcare costs and negatively impact patient outcomes.

Identifying standout practices involves examining the quality of care delivered. This can be achieved by analyzing patient reviews, assessing the practice's adherence to asthma treatment guidelines (such as those established by the National Institutes of Health), and evaluating the availability of specialized asthma care, such as pulmonologists or allergy specialists. Practices that demonstrate a commitment to patient education, provide asthma action plans, and offer comprehensive care are likely to be considered superior. For Piney Creek, this means identifying practices within or nearby that consistently demonstrate these qualities.

Telemedicine has emerged as a valuable tool for asthma management, particularly in rural areas like Piney Creek. Telemedicine allows patients to consult with their physicians remotely, reducing the need for travel and improving access to care, especially for those with mobility issues or limited transportation options. Assessing the adoption of telemedicine in the area involves investigating which primary care practices and specialists offer virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and online patient portals. Practices that have embraced telemedicine are likely to have a higher asthma score.

The connection between asthma and mental health is often overlooked. Asthma can be a chronic and debilitating condition, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Access to mental health resources, such as therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, is therefore essential for comprehensive asthma care. Analyzing the availability of these resources in ZIP Code 28663, and particularly in Piney Creek, requires examining the presence of mental health clinics, the availability of mental health professionals who accept insurance, and the integration of mental health services into primary care practices. Practices that address the mental health needs of their asthma patients would contribute positively to their asthma score.

The asthma score for doctors in ZIP Code 28663, and specifically in Piney Creek, would be a composite measure reflecting all the factors discussed above. This score would consider physician-to-patient ratios, the availability of primary care, the quality of care provided by standout practices, the adoption of telemedicine, and the availability of mental health resources. The higher the score, the better the access to and quality of asthma care in the area. A low score would indicate a need for improvement, such as recruiting more physicians, expanding telemedicine services, or increasing access to mental health resources.

In the context of Piney Creek, the asthma score would be a localized assessment. This would involve identifying the specific healthcare providers serving the community, evaluating their services, and considering the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the area's demographics and geography. For instance, if Piney Creek is a predominantly rural area with limited access to transportation, telemedicine adoption would be particularly important. If the community faces high rates of poverty or other social determinants of health, the availability of mental health resources and culturally competent care would be essential.

A comprehensive asthma score analysis should also consider the patient perspective. This involves gathering feedback from asthma patients in the area through surveys, focus groups, or interviews. This feedback can provide valuable insights into the patient experience, including the ease of scheduling appointments, the quality of communication with healthcare providers, and the overall satisfaction with the care received. This patient-centered approach is crucial for ensuring that the asthma score accurately reflects the needs and experiences of the community.

The analysis would involve collecting and analyzing data from various sources, including healthcare provider directories, insurance databases, public health agencies, and patient feedback. The data would then be used to develop a weighted scoring system, with each factor contributing to the overall asthma score. The weighting of each factor would depend on its relative importance in asthma management. For example, physician-to-patient ratios and the availability of primary care might be weighted more heavily than the adoption of telemedicine, although the latter is still important.

The final asthma score would provide a valuable tool for assessing the quality of asthma care in ZIP Code 28663 and Piney Creek. It would help healthcare providers identify areas for improvement, guide policy decisions, and inform patients about the availability of care. This data can be visualized and analyzed using mapping tools to highlight areas of need and to track progress over time.

To gain a visual representation of this data and to explore the geographic distribution of healthcare resources in ZIP Code 28663, consider utilizing CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome maps can help you visualize physician locations, patient demographics, and other relevant data, offering a comprehensive understanding of healthcare accessibility in Piney Creek and the surrounding area.