17748, Mc Elhattan, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 17748, Mc Elhattan, Pennsylvania is 19 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 97.52 percent of the residents in 17748 has some form of health insurance. 57.85 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 74.38 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 17748 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 25 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 5 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 17748. An estimate of 1 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 43 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 2,025 health care providers accessible to residents in 17748, Mc Elhattan, Pennsylvania.

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, significantly impacts the quality of life for those affected. Access to quality healthcare, including readily available primary care physicians, is crucial for effective asthma management. This analysis focuses on the availability and quality of asthma care within ZIP Code 17748, specifically examining the town of McElhattan, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding areas. We will assess the landscape of primary care, physician-to-patient ratios, the adoption of telemedicine, and the availability of mental health resources, all factors influencing an "Asthma Score" for the region.

McElhattan, a small community, likely faces challenges common to rural areas regarding healthcare access. The physician-to-patient ratio is a critical indicator. A low ratio, indicating fewer doctors per resident, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, reduced access to specialized care, and increased travel distances. Determining the exact ratio requires accessing data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and private healthcare databases. This information allows us to calculate the number of primary care physicians (PCPs) practicing within the ZIP code and compare it to the population of McElhattan and its surrounding areas. A low ratio would negatively impact the Asthma Score.

Standout practices within the area would significantly boost the score. These practices would likely demonstrate a commitment to asthma management through several key features. First, they would have a clear protocol for asthma diagnosis and treatment, following current guidelines from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). This includes utilizing spirometry to assess lung function, prescribing appropriate medications (including both quick-relief and controller medications), and providing patient education on asthma triggers, self-management techniques, and proper inhaler use.

Second, standout practices would emphasize patient education. This includes providing patients with personalized asthma action plans, detailing how to recognize and manage asthma symptoms, and when to seek emergency care. They would also offer resources on identifying and avoiding asthma triggers, such as allergens, irritants, and environmental factors. The availability of certified asthma educators within the practice would be a major plus, contributing positively to the Asthma Score.

Telemedicine adoption is another crucial element. Telemedicine, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, can significantly improve access to care, particularly for individuals in rural areas. Practices that offer virtual consultations, remote monitoring of lung function, and online patient education resources would receive a higher score. Telemedicine can reduce the need for in-person visits, making it easier for patients to manage their asthma, especially during times of exacerbation or when access to transportation is limited. The adoption of telemedicine would positively impact the Asthma Score, particularly in a rural setting like McElhattan.

Mental health resources are frequently overlooked in asthma management, yet they are essential. Asthma can be a stressful condition, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Practices that recognize the link between mental health and asthma, and offer or facilitate access to mental health services, would be considered superior. This could involve having on-site therapists, partnering with mental health providers, or providing referrals to mental health specialists. The availability of mental health support would significantly enhance the Asthma Score, reflecting a holistic approach to patient care.

Beyond the immediate availability of doctors and services, the Asthma Score also considers the overall quality of care. This involves assessing the practices' adherence to evidence-based guidelines, the patient satisfaction levels, and the outcomes of asthma management. Practices with lower rates of asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits would receive higher scores. This requires analyzing data on patient outcomes, which can be obtained through public health reports, insurance claims data, and patient surveys.

The Asthma Score would be a composite metric, integrating all these factors. It would reflect the overall quality and accessibility of asthma care within ZIP Code 17748, with a specific focus on the McElhattan area. A higher score would indicate better access to care, higher quality of treatment, and a more supportive environment for asthma patients. A lower score would highlight areas for improvement, such as increasing the number of PCPs, expanding telemedicine services, and improving access to mental health resources.

The analysis would also consider the geographic distribution of healthcare resources. Are the available PCPs and specialists clustered in one area, or are they spread out, providing more equitable access to care? This spatial analysis would help identify potential healthcare deserts, where access to care is limited. This aspect would be particularly relevant in a rural area like McElhattan, where travel distances can significantly impact access to care.

In conclusion, the "Asthma Score" for doctors in ZIP Code 17748 and primary care availability in McElhattan would be a multifaceted assessment. It would consider physician-to-patient ratios, the presence of standout practices with comprehensive asthma management protocols, the adoption of telemedicine, and the availability of mental health resources. This comprehensive approach would provide a valuable tool for understanding the state of asthma care in the region and identifying areas for improvement.

To visualize the geographic distribution of healthcare resources, identify potential healthcare deserts, and gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the "Asthma Score," we recommend exploring CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome's mapping capabilities can help you analyze and visualize the data, providing valuable insights into the accessibility and quality of asthma care in the area.