18224, Freeland, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 18224, Freeland, Pennsylvania is 67 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 93.44 percent of the residents in 18224 has some form of health insurance. 48.47 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 64.76 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 18224 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 1,381 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 2 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 18224. An estimate of 4 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 1,311 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 2,602 health care providers accessible to residents in 18224, Freeland, Pennsylvania.

The analysis below provides an asthma score ranking for physicians within ZIP code 18224, focusing on Freeland, Pennsylvania, and assesses primary care availability. This analysis considers factors relevant to asthma management, including physician-to-patient ratios, practice characteristics, telemedicine adoption, and the availability of mental health resources, all crucial for effective patient care.

Evaluating healthcare access begins with understanding the physician landscape. In Freeland, the physician-to-patient ratio is a critical indicator. A low ratio, meaning fewer doctors for a larger population, can translate to longer wait times for appointments, reduced access to specialized care, and potentially poorer asthma management. The specific physician-to-patient ratio in 18224 needs to be determined from available data. Publicly available data from sources such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the US Census Bureau, and professional medical associations can be used to calculate this ratio. This ratio directly impacts the asthma score. A higher ratio would negatively affect the score.

Analyzing practice characteristics is vital. We look for practices with a demonstrated commitment to asthma care. This includes practices that actively participate in asthma education programs, offer comprehensive asthma action plans, and utilize evidence-based guidelines for asthma treatment. Practices that have dedicated asthma specialists or nurses are a significant advantage. The presence of certified asthma educators within a practice would significantly boost its score. Practices that routinely monitor patients' asthma control, using tools like questionnaires and spirometry, also receive higher marks. These proactive measures directly contribute to better patient outcomes and improved asthma control.

Telemedicine adoption is another critical factor. The ability to offer virtual consultations, especially for follow-up appointments and medication adjustments, can significantly improve access to care, particularly for patients with mobility issues or those living in geographically isolated areas. Telemedicine can facilitate more frequent monitoring of asthma symptoms and allow for quicker intervention when needed. Practices that have integrated telemedicine platforms, offer remote monitoring capabilities, and provide patient education through virtual channels will score higher. The ease of access to telemedicine services directly impacts the asthma score.

Mental health resources are often overlooked in asthma management, but they are crucial. Asthma is a chronic condition that can significantly impact a patient's mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Practices that recognize this and offer or facilitate access to mental health services, such as counseling or psychiatric care, will receive a higher score. This could include partnerships with mental health providers, on-site therapists, or referrals to specialized mental health services. The integration of mental health support into asthma care is a significant indicator of a patient-centered approach and positively influences the asthma score.

To build an asthma score, we would need to gather data from various sources. This would involve surveying local physicians, examining practice websites, and reviewing publicly available data on healthcare quality and access. The asthma score would be a composite score, reflecting the weighted average of the factors discussed above. The physician-to-patient ratio, practice characteristics (including the presence of asthma specialists and education programs), telemedicine adoption, and the availability of mental health resources would each be assigned a weight based on their relative importance in asthma management.

The standout practices in Freeland, based on this hypothetical analysis, would be those that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to asthma care. These practices would likely have a favorable physician-to-patient ratio, dedicated asthma specialists or nurses, a robust telemedicine program, and integrated mental health resources. They would actively participate in asthma education programs, provide comprehensive asthma action plans, and utilize evidence-based guidelines for asthma treatment. They would also actively monitor patients' asthma control and strive to improve patient outcomes.

In contrast, practices with a high physician-to-patient ratio, limited resources for asthma education, a lack of telemedicine capabilities, and no access to mental health services would receive a lower asthma score. These practices may struggle to provide comprehensive asthma care and may lead to poorer patient outcomes.

The analysis would also assess the overall primary care availability in Freeland. This assessment would consider the number of primary care physicians, the types of services offered, and the accessibility of those services. Factors such as appointment wait times, insurance acceptance, and the availability of after-hours care would be considered. The primary care availability score would be integrated into the overall asthma score, as access to primary care is essential for effective asthma management.

The asthma score would be a dynamic measure, subject to change as practices improve their services or as healthcare landscape evolves. Regular updates to the score would be necessary to ensure its accuracy and relevance. This continuous assessment is vital for patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and to ensure they receive the best possible asthma care.

By considering all these factors, a comprehensive asthma score can be developed for physicians in ZIP code 18224, specifically in Freeland. This score would provide valuable information for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers, enabling them to improve asthma care and outcomes in the community. The analysis would highlight areas where improvements are needed and identify best practices that can be replicated.

For a visual representation of this data, including physician locations, practice characteristics, and accessibility information, explore the power of CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome maps can bring this data to life, providing a clear and concise understanding of the healthcare landscape in Freeland and the surrounding areas. Visualize the data and make informed decisions about your healthcare options.