27909, Elizabeth City, North Carolina COPD Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the COPD Score in 27909, Elizabeth City, North Carolina is 9 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 85.92 percent of the residents in 27909 has some form of health insurance. 37.52 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 63.10 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 27909 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 9,978 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 27909. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 6,725 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,095 health care providers accessible to residents in 27909, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

## COPD Score Analysis: Elizabeth City, NC (ZIP Code 27909)

The following analysis provides a COPD Score assessment for primary care physicians (PCPs) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (ZIP Code 27909), focusing on factors crucial to effective COPD management. This includes an evaluation of physician availability, practice characteristics, telemedicine adoption, and the integration of mental health resources, all of which contribute to the overall quality of care for COPD patients.

Elizabeth City, nestled in the northeastern corner of North Carolina, faces unique challenges regarding healthcare access. The area’s demographics, including a potentially higher prevalence of COPD due to factors like smoking history and environmental exposures, necessitate a robust and accessible primary care infrastructure. The COPD Score aims to reflect this reality.

**Physician-to-Patient Ratio and Access:**

The cornerstone of COPD care is consistent access to a PCP. The physician-to-patient ratio in ZIP Code 27909 is a critical metric. While precise figures fluctuate, the ratio likely presents a challenge. Rural areas often struggle with physician shortages, potentially leading to longer wait times for appointments and limited access to specialized care. This scarcity impacts the ability of COPD patients to receive timely diagnoses, ongoing monitoring, and essential medication management. The score is negatively affected by any indication of physician shortages or extended appointment wait times.

**Practice Characteristics and COPD Management:**

The practices themselves vary in their approach to COPD care. A high-scoring practice demonstrates several key characteristics. Firstly, a proactive approach to screening is essential. This includes routinely assessing patients for COPD risk factors, such as smoking history and exposure to environmental irritants. Secondly, practices must offer comprehensive diagnostic testing, including spirometry, to accurately diagnose and stage the disease. Thirdly, the practice must have a well-defined COPD management plan. This includes medication management, patient education, and the provision of resources for pulmonary rehabilitation. Practices that actively participate in COPD-related research or quality improvement initiatives also receive a higher score.

**Standout Practices:**

Identifying standout practices involves looking beyond the basics. The best practices in Elizabeth City will likely demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered care. This means fostering strong patient-physician relationships, providing individualized treatment plans, and actively involving patients in their care decisions. Furthermore, these practices may have dedicated staff members, such as respiratory therapists or certified asthma educators, who specialize in COPD management. The ability to effectively coordinate care with specialists, such as pulmonologists, is also a key indicator of excellence.

**Telemedicine Adoption:**

Telemedicine has the potential to significantly improve COPD care in Elizabeth City, especially in areas with limited access to specialists. Practices that have embraced telemedicine, offering virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and medication refills, receive a higher score. Telemedicine can reduce the burden of travel for patients, improve medication adherence, and facilitate more frequent monitoring of symptoms. The availability of remote monitoring devices, such as pulse oximeters, that allow patients to track their oxygen saturation levels at home, is also a positive factor.

**Mental Health Resources:**

COPD is a chronic illness that often has a significant impact on mental health. Patients may experience anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Practices that recognize this connection and offer integrated mental health services receive a higher score. This can include on-site counseling, referrals to mental health specialists, and the use of screening tools to identify patients at risk for mental health issues. A holistic approach to COPD management must address both the physical and psychological aspects of the disease.

**Scoring Methodology:**

The COPD Score is based on a weighted average of the factors discussed above. Each factor is assigned a weight based on its relative importance to effective COPD care. The score is then calculated based on available data, including information from healthcare providers, patient surveys, and public health records. The score is not a definitive ranking, but rather a snapshot of the current state of COPD care in Elizabeth City. It is intended to be a dynamic measure that can be updated as new data becomes available.

**The Importance of Improvement:**

The COPD Score serves as a benchmark for evaluating the quality of COPD care in Elizabeth City. It can be used to identify areas where improvements are needed and to track progress over time. By focusing on physician availability, practice characteristics, telemedicine adoption, and mental health resources, healthcare providers can work together to improve the lives of COPD patients in the community.

**Conclusion:**

The COPD Score for Elizabeth City, NC (ZIP Code 27909) likely reflects the challenges inherent in providing healthcare in a rural setting. While specific scores are difficult to quantify without comprehensive data, the analysis highlights the importance of addressing physician shortages, promoting proactive COPD management strategies, embracing telemedicine, and integrating mental health resources. The goal is to create a healthcare environment that empowers patients to manage their disease effectively and improve their quality of life.

**Call to Action:**

To gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare landscape in Elizabeth City and visualize the distribution of healthcare resources, explore the interactive maps and data visualizations offered by CartoChrome. Discover the power of spatial analysis to inform healthcare decisions and improve access to care.