18854, Wysox, Pennsylvania Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 18854, Wysox, Pennsylvania is 97 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 96.02 percent of the residents in 18854 has some form of health insurance. 37.63 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 75.88 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 18854 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 340 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 4 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 18854. An estimate of 1 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 290 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,896 health care providers accessible to residents in 18854, Wysox, Pennsylvania.

## Asthma Score Analysis: Wysox, PA (ZIP Code 18854)

Analyzing healthcare accessibility and quality, particularly regarding asthma management, within ZIP code 18854 (Wysox, PA) requires a multifaceted approach. This analysis will assess the available resources, focusing on primary care availability, physician-to-patient ratios, standout practices, telemedicine adoption, and the integration of mental health resources, ultimately providing an "Asthma Score" ranking.

The cornerstone of effective asthma management is readily accessible primary care. Wysox, a primarily rural community, faces challenges common to such areas: geographical limitations and potential shortages of medical professionals. Assessing primary care availability involves evaluating the number of practicing physicians within the ZIP code and the surrounding areas, considering the patient population. A low physician-to-patient ratio signals a potential bottleneck, leading to longer wait times for appointments and potentially delayed care. Conversely, a higher ratio suggests better access to primary care, a crucial factor in asthma control.

Standout practices are those that demonstrate a commitment to comprehensive asthma care. This includes practices that employ certified asthma educators, offer specialized pulmonary function testing, and have established protocols for asthma management consistent with national guidelines. These practices often proactively monitor patients, provide individualized treatment plans, and emphasize patient education on trigger avoidance and medication adherence. Identifying these practices within Wysox involves researching the specific services offered by each practice, examining patient reviews, and assessing their participation in quality improvement initiatives related to asthma care.

Telemedicine adoption is another key indicator of healthcare accessibility, especially in rural settings. Telemedicine can bridge geographical barriers, allowing patients to consult with physicians remotely, receive medication refills, and participate in asthma education programs. The extent of telemedicine adoption within Wysox is assessed by examining the telehealth services offered by local practices, including the availability of virtual appointments, remote monitoring capabilities, and patient portals. Practices that embrace telemedicine demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to patient care and can significantly improve asthma management outcomes.

Mental health resources are an often-overlooked but critical component of asthma care. Asthma, being a chronic condition, can significantly impact a patient's mental well-being, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, and reduced medication adherence. Therefore, the availability of mental health services within Wysox is a crucial factor. This includes assessing the presence of mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists, and the availability of mental health support groups. Practices that integrate mental health services into their asthma care programs demonstrate a holistic approach to patient well-being.

To generate an "Asthma Score" for doctors in ZIP code 18854, we would consider the following factors:

* **Primary Care Physician-to-Patient Ratio:** A higher ratio (more physicians per patient) would receive a higher score.
* **Presence of Certified Asthma Educators:** Practices with certified asthma educators would score higher.
* **Availability of Pulmonary Function Testing:** Practices offering pulmonary function testing would receive a higher score.
* **Telemedicine Adoption:** Practices actively utilizing telemedicine for asthma management would score higher.
* **Integration of Mental Health Resources:** Practices that integrate mental health services would receive a higher score.
* **Patient Education Programs:** Practices offering comprehensive patient education programs would score higher.
* **Participation in Asthma Quality Improvement Initiatives:** Practices actively involved in asthma quality improvement initiatives would receive a higher score.
* **Patient Satisfaction:** Practices with high patient satisfaction scores related to asthma care would receive a higher score.

Each factor would be weighted based on its importance to asthma management, and the overall score would be calculated based on a predetermined scale. This score would then be used to rank the doctors in ZIP code 18854.

Specific data gathering is essential for a precise analysis. This involves contacting local medical practices, reviewing publicly available data from healthcare providers, and analyzing patient satisfaction surveys. The accuracy of the "Asthma Score" hinges on the completeness and reliability of the data collected.

Based on the limited information available, it is difficult to provide a definitive "Asthma Score" ranking for doctors in Wysox. However, we can hypothesize that the score would be influenced by the challenges of rural healthcare, including potential physician shortages and limited access to specialized services. The presence of practices that embrace telemedicine and integrate mental health resources would significantly boost their scores.

Ultimately, the goal of this analysis is to provide a comprehensive overview of asthma care resources in Wysox, highlighting areas of strength and areas needing improvement. This information can be used by patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare, by healthcare providers to improve their services, and by policymakers to address healthcare disparities in the community.

For a visual representation of healthcare resources in Wysox, including physician locations, practice details, and service offerings, we recommend exploring CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome provides interactive maps that allow users to visualize healthcare data, identify areas with limited access, and compare healthcare providers.