25928, Stephenson, West Virginia Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 25928, Stephenson, West Virginia is 90 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 92.92 percent of the residents in 25928 has some form of health insurance. 64.60 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 74.63 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 25928 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 15 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 25928. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 156 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 188 health care providers accessible to residents in 25928, Stephenson, West Virginia.

**Asthma Score Analysis: Doctors in ZIP Code 25928 and Primary Care Availability in Stephenson, WV**

Analyzing healthcare access, particularly for a condition like asthma, requires a multi-faceted approach. This analysis focuses on ZIP code 25928, encompassing a portion of Stephenson, West Virginia, to assess the availability and quality of primary care services, with specific attention to asthma management. The goal is to provide an “Asthma Score” assessment, evaluating the resources available to patients within this geographic area.

The foundation of any asthma score lies in the accessibility of primary care physicians (PCPs). In ZIP code 25928, the physician-to-patient ratio is a critical metric. This ratio indicates the number of patients served by each PCP. A lower ratio generally suggests better access, allowing for more individualized care and potentially shorter wait times for appointments. Data from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), combined with information from insurance providers and physician directories, is essential to accurately determine this ratio. This analysis will need to account for both the number of active PCPs practicing within the ZIP code and the estimated population of the area.

Beyond the raw number of physicians, the quality of care provided is paramount. This involves evaluating the practices themselves. Are the practices accepting new patients? Do they offer extended hours or weekend appointments to accommodate patient needs? Do they have dedicated asthma specialists or nurses trained in asthma management? Practices that actively participate in asthma education programs, offer peak flow meter training, and have established protocols for managing asthma exacerbations would score higher in this analysis. Information about the specific practices within the ZIP code will be gathered from online reviews, patient surveys, and potentially direct contact with the practices themselves.

Telemedicine adoption is another critical component of the asthma score. Telemedicine offers significant advantages for asthma patients, particularly those in rural areas. It can reduce the need for in-person visits, making it easier for patients to access care, especially during asthma flare-ups. Practices that offer telehealth consultations, remote monitoring of asthma symptoms, and virtual asthma education programs would receive a higher score. Assessing the availability of telemedicine services requires examining the websites of local practices, contacting them directly, and reviewing information from insurance providers regarding telehealth coverage.

Mental health resources are often overlooked in the context of asthma management, but they are crucial. Asthma can be a chronic condition that significantly impacts a patient's quality of life, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Practices that integrate mental health services, either directly or through referrals to mental health professionals, would be considered to provide a more holistic approach to care. This requires investigating whether local practices have mental health professionals on staff, or have established referral networks with mental health providers in the area.

Specific practices within ZIP code 25928 will be examined to identify standout examples. A practice that excels in multiple areas—high physician-to-patient ratio, readily available appointments, telemedicine adoption, and integrated mental health services—would be considered a high-performing practice. Conversely, practices with limited availability, a lack of telemedicine options, and no apparent mental health support would receive a lower score. The goal is to identify best practices and highlight areas where improvements are needed.

The analysis will also consider the availability of specialized asthma care. While primary care physicians are the first point of contact for most asthma patients, some individuals require the expertise of pulmonologists or allergists. The proximity of these specialists to ZIP code 25928 and the ease with which patients can access their services will be factored into the overall score. This involves determining the location of specialists, assessing wait times for appointments, and evaluating the availability of specialized asthma testing and treatment options.

The “Asthma Score” itself will be a composite measure, combining all the factors discussed above. Each factor will be assigned a weight based on its importance to asthma management. For example, physician-to-patient ratio and access to primary care would likely carry a higher weight than the availability of specialized asthma care. The final score will provide a comprehensive assessment of the resources available to asthma patients in ZIP code 25928, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses.

Furthermore, this analysis will consider the demographic characteristics of the population within ZIP code 25928. Factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and access to transportation can significantly impact healthcare access. The analysis will incorporate this information to provide a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by asthma patients in the area. The goal is to identify any disparities in care and to recommend strategies for addressing them.

In conclusion, assessing the availability and quality of asthma care in ZIP code 25928 requires a thorough examination of multiple factors. By analyzing physician-to-patient ratios, evaluating practice characteristics, assessing telemedicine adoption, and considering mental health resources, a comprehensive “Asthma Score” can be developed. This score will provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the local healthcare system, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions about improving asthma care in the area.

Want to visualize this data and see a spatial representation of healthcare resources in your area? Explore the power of geographic information systems (GIS) and discover how location-based data can enhance your understanding of healthcare access.

**Click here to explore CartoChrome maps and see the healthcare landscape in a new light!**