18845, Stevensville, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 18845, Stevensville, Pennsylvania is 25 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 90.76 percent of the residents in 18845 has some form of health insurance. 59.64 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 52.41 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 18845 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 84 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 1 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 18845. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 154 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 603 health care providers accessible to residents in 18845, Stevensville, Pennsylvania.

## Asthma Score Analysis: Stevensville, PA (ZIP Code 18845)

Analyzing the healthcare landscape for asthma management in Stevensville, Pennsylvania (ZIP Code 18845) requires a multi-faceted approach, considering physician availability, the quality of care, and accessibility to supporting resources. This analysis aims to provide an "Asthma Score" assessment, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses within the community. This score isn’t a single number but a composite understanding, built upon various factors.

The core of effective asthma management lies in accessible and skilled primary care physicians (PCPs). In Stevensville, assessing the physician-to-patient ratio is crucial. This data point reveals the potential strain on existing resources. A low ratio, indicating fewer doctors per capita, suggests longer wait times for appointments and potentially less individualized care. Conversely, a higher ratio can signify greater access. Publicly available data from sources like the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health provides insights into the number of PCPs practicing within the 18845 ZIP code and the surrounding areas. This data, coupled with population figures, forms the foundation for calculating the physician-to-patient ratio.

Beyond sheer numbers, the quality of primary care is paramount. This involves evaluating the practices’ adherence to asthma management guidelines, such as those established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Assessing whether practices regularly utilize spirometry testing, a key diagnostic tool for asthma, is critical. Furthermore, understanding the practices’ approach to patient education and the provision of personalized asthma action plans contributes to the overall quality assessment. This information can be gathered through publicly available practice profiles, patient reviews, and, where possible, direct inquiries to the practices themselves.

Identifying standout practices is essential. These are the clinics and individual physicians demonstrating exceptional asthma management. This might involve recognizing practices with high patient satisfaction scores, documented success in controlling asthma symptoms, or innovative approaches to patient care. For instance, a practice consistently achieving high rates of asthma control among its patients, as measured by objective metrics like reduced emergency room visits or hospitalizations, would be a prime candidate. Similarly, practices actively participating in asthma-related research or community outreach programs deserve recognition.

Telemedicine adoption is another crucial aspect of the Asthma Score. Telemedicine offers significant advantages for asthma patients, including increased access to care, especially for those living in rural areas like Stevensville. Telehealth platforms can facilitate virtual consultations, medication management, and remote monitoring of lung function. Evaluating the extent to which local practices have embraced telemedicine, including the types of services offered and the accessibility of the technology, is essential. Practices that have successfully integrated telemedicine into their asthma care models deserve higher scores.

Mental health resources play a significant, often overlooked, role in asthma management. Asthma can be a chronic condition that impacts patients' emotional well-being. Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in asthma patients, and untreated mental health issues can worsen asthma symptoms and overall quality of life. The availability of mental health professionals, such as therapists and psychiatrists, within the community is therefore a key factor. Assessing the accessibility of these resources, including the acceptance of insurance and the availability of appointments, is critical. Furthermore, understanding whether primary care practices offer integrated mental health services or have established referral pathways to mental health providers is crucial.

The accessibility of specialized asthma care, such as pulmonologists and allergists, is another critical component. While PCPs provide the initial line of defense, patients with severe or uncontrolled asthma often require the expertise of specialists. Assessing the proximity of pulmonologists and allergists to Stevensville, the availability of appointments, and the ability to coordinate care with PCPs is important. This can be determined by analyzing the geographic distribution of specialists, their acceptance of insurance, and the efficiency of the referral process.

Pharmacy access is also important. The proximity and availability of pharmacies that carry asthma medications, including both rescue inhalers and controller medications, is a practical consideration. Assessing the pharmacies' ability to provide medication counseling, refill reminders, and adherence support can also contribute to the overall Asthma Score.

The overall Asthma Score for Stevensville (18845) is a complex evaluation. It will be influenced by the physician-to-patient ratio, the quality of primary care, the adoption of telemedicine, the availability of mental health resources, the accessibility of specialist care, and pharmacy access. The score will be a reflection of the community's capacity to deliver effective and comprehensive asthma care.

In conclusion, understanding the healthcare landscape for asthma management in Stevensville, PA, requires a detailed, data-driven approach. Analyzing physician availability, the quality of care, the adoption of technology, and access to supporting resources provides a comprehensive picture. A well-informed assessment can help patients and healthcare providers identify strengths and weaknesses, ultimately leading to improved asthma control and better patient outcomes.

To visualize and analyze the geographic distribution of healthcare resources, consider using CartoChrome maps. These maps can help you visualize physician locations, specialist availability, and pharmacy access, providing a powerful tool for understanding the healthcare landscape in Stevensville and beyond.