15901, Johnstown, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 15901, Johnstown, Pennsylvania is 79 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 93.68 percent of the residents in 15901 has some form of health insurance. 67.88 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 38.24 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 15901 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 583 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 3 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 15901. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 738 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 4,022 health care providers accessible to residents in 15901, Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

## Asthma Score Analysis: Doctors in ZIP Code 15901 and Primary Care Availability in Johnstown

Analyzing the availability and quality of asthma care within ZIP Code 15901 (Johnstown, Pennsylvania) requires a multi-faceted approach. This analysis considers physician-to-patient ratios, the adoption of telemedicine, the presence of mental health resources, and highlights standout practices. Understanding these factors provides a comprehensive "Asthma Score" assessment, crucial for residents seeking effective asthma management.

The physician-to-patient ratio within Johnstown, specifically for primary care physicians (PCPs) and pulmonologists, significantly impacts asthma care accessibility. A low ratio, indicating fewer doctors per patient, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, delayed diagnoses, and less frequent follow-up care. Conversely, a higher ratio suggests potentially better access to timely medical attention. Publicly available data from sources like the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the US Census Bureau, combined with information from local hospital systems and insurance providers, are essential to determine the precise ratios. This data should be regularly updated to reflect physician retirements, new hires, and population shifts.

Telemedicine adoption is another critical component of the Asthma Score. The ability to conduct virtual consultations, especially for routine check-ups and medication adjustments, can significantly improve access to care, particularly for patients with mobility limitations or those residing in geographically underserved areas. Practices that embrace telemedicine, offering virtual appointments and remote monitoring capabilities, demonstrate a commitment to patient convenience and proactive asthma management. Evaluating telemedicine adoption requires examining the availability of virtual appointment scheduling, the use of remote monitoring devices (like peak flow meters that transmit data), and the integration of telemedicine platforms into the practice's overall workflow.

The integration of mental health resources into asthma care is often overlooked but is a crucial aspect of a comprehensive Asthma Score. Asthma, particularly uncontrolled asthma, can significantly impact mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Practices that recognize this connection and offer on-site mental health services, referrals to mental health professionals, or educational resources on managing the psychological aspects of asthma, demonstrate a holistic approach to patient care. Assessing this aspect requires investigating the availability of on-site mental health professionals, partnerships with local mental health providers, and the inclusion of mental health screening tools within the practice's standard protocols.

Identifying standout practices within ZIP Code 15901 requires a detailed review of various factors. This includes analyzing patient reviews, examining the practice's adherence to national asthma guidelines (such as those from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program), assessing the availability of specialized asthma education programs, and evaluating the practice's commitment to patient communication and education. Practices that consistently receive positive patient feedback, demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based asthma management, and actively engage patients in their care, are likely to score higher in the Asthma Score analysis. Further, looking at the availability of after-hours care and emergency services, especially for asthma exacerbations, is a crucial factor.

Primary care availability within Johnstown, while indirectly affecting asthma care, plays a vital role in overall patient health. PCPs often serve as the first point of contact for asthma patients, providing initial diagnoses, medication prescriptions, and ongoing management. The availability of PCPs, their acceptance of new patients, and the ease of scheduling appointments all contribute to the accessibility of asthma care. Analyzing primary care availability requires considering the number of PCPs practicing in the area, their geographic distribution, their patient load, and the average wait times for appointments.

The Asthma Score analysis should also consider the availability of specialized asthma services, such as pulmonary function testing (PFT), allergy testing, and immunotherapy. Practices that offer these services on-site or have readily available referral pathways to specialists demonstrate a commitment to providing comprehensive asthma care. This includes assessing the availability of in-house PFT equipment, the presence of allergy testing capabilities, and the ease with which patients can access specialized care when needed.

The analysis must consider the socioeconomic factors that influence asthma outcomes. Poverty, lack of access to healthy food, and substandard housing conditions can exacerbate asthma symptoms and hinder effective management. Practices that are aware of these social determinants of health and offer resources or referrals to address them, demonstrate a commitment to patient well-being beyond medical treatment. This requires investigating the practice's awareness of local social services, their willingness to connect patients with resources like food banks and housing assistance programs, and their efforts to advocate for improved living conditions within the community.

Furthermore, the Asthma Score should incorporate an assessment of the practice's use of electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs facilitate better communication between healthcare providers, improve medication management, and enable the tracking of patient outcomes. Practices that utilize EHRs effectively, including the ability to share patient information with specialists and other healthcare providers, are likely to provide more coordinated and efficient asthma care. This includes evaluating the EHR system's interoperability, its ability to generate patient reports, and its integration with telemedicine platforms.

In conclusion, evaluating the Asthma Score for doctors in ZIP Code 15901 and primary care availability in Johnstown necessitates a comprehensive analysis. This involves considering physician-to-patient ratios, telemedicine adoption, mental health resources, standout practices, socioeconomic factors, and the use of electronic health records. By meticulously assessing these factors, a more accurate and informative Asthma Score can be derived, empowering residents to make informed decisions about their asthma care and fostering improvements in the overall healthcare landscape of Johnstown.

For a visual representation of the healthcare landscape in Johnstown, including the geographic distribution of physicians, access to care, and other relevant data points, explore the interactive maps offered by CartoChrome.