08740, Ocean Gate, New Jersey Hypertension Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Hypertension Score in 08740, Ocean Gate, New Jersey is 54 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 93.31 percent of the residents in 08740 has some form of health insurance. 42.05 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 70.72 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 08740 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 266 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 0 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 08740. An estimate of 1 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 411 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 2,275 health care providers accessible to residents in 08740, Ocean Gate, New Jersey.

## Hypertension Score Analysis: 08740 & Ocean Gate Primary Care

Analyzing the landscape of hypertension care within ZIP code 08740, encompassing the borough of Toms River, and specifically assessing primary care availability in Ocean Gate, requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to evaluate several key factors to generate a comprehensive "Hypertension Score" that reflects the accessibility, quality, and overall effectiveness of hypertension management within this specific geographic area. This analysis will delve into physician-to-patient ratios, highlight standout practices, examine the adoption of telemedicine, and assess the availability of integrated mental health resources, all crucial elements in providing optimal care for individuals managing hypertension.

The physician-to-patient ratio is a foundational metric. A low ratio, indicating a higher number of patients per physician, can potentially strain resources and limit the time a physician can dedicate to each patient. Conversely, a high ratio may suggest greater accessibility. In 08740, the ratio for primary care physicians needs careful consideration. Publicly available data from sources like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides a baseline, but this data often reflects broader county-level trends, potentially masking localized disparities. A deeper dive into the specific number of primary care physicians actively practicing within the 08740 zip code, coupled with the estimated population served, is essential. Ocean Gate, being a smaller borough within 08740, likely presents a unique situation. Its primary care access may be influenced by its proximity to Toms River's larger medical infrastructure, but also by the availability of physicians willing to serve the community.

Identifying standout practices within 08740 is vital. These practices often serve as benchmarks for quality and innovation. Factors to assess include patient satisfaction scores, the percentage of patients achieving blood pressure control goals, and the adoption of evidence-based guidelines for hypertension management. Practices that proactively utilize electronic health records (EHRs) to track patient data, send automated reminders for appointments and medication refills, and offer patient portals for communication are likely to demonstrate higher levels of patient engagement and improved outcomes. Furthermore, practices that are part of larger healthcare networks may benefit from shared resources, standardized protocols, and access to specialists. This analysis would need to identify practices that are actively participating in quality improvement initiatives and are transparent about their performance metrics.

The adoption of telemedicine is increasingly relevant, particularly in the context of managing chronic conditions like hypertension. Telemedicine offers several advantages, including increased accessibility, reduced travel time for patients, and the potential for more frequent monitoring. Assessing the extent to which primary care practices in 08740 utilize telemedicine is critical. This includes evaluating the types of telemedicine services offered (e.g., virtual consultations, remote blood pressure monitoring), the technology infrastructure in place, and the training provided to both physicians and patients. Practices that have successfully integrated telemedicine into their hypertension management protocols are likely to demonstrate improved patient adherence and better blood pressure control rates, especially for patients in Ocean Gate where travel may be a factor.

The integration of mental health resources is another crucial aspect of comprehensive hypertension care. Hypertension is often linked to stress, anxiety, and depression, and these factors can significantly impact a patient's ability to manage their condition effectively. Assessing the availability of mental health services within primary care practices in 08740 is therefore essential. This includes determining whether practices have on-site mental health professionals, offer referrals to mental health specialists, or utilize integrated behavioral health models. Practices that prioritize the mental well-being of their patients are likely to achieve better outcomes in hypertension management. The analysis should also consider the availability of mental health resources within the Ocean Gate community itself, as this could influence the accessibility of care for residents.

The "Hypertension Score" for 08740 and Ocean Gate would be a composite metric, reflecting the weighted average of these factors. Each factor would be assigned a weight based on its relative importance in achieving optimal hypertension management. For example, the physician-to-patient ratio and the percentage of patients achieving blood pressure control goals might carry a higher weight than the adoption of telemedicine, depending on the specific goals of the analysis. The score would then be used to compare the performance of different practices and to identify areas for improvement.

To summarize, evaluating the availability and quality of hypertension care in 08740 and Ocean Gate requires a thorough examination of several key components. The physician-to-patient ratio, the performance of standout practices, the adoption of telemedicine, and the integration of mental health resources are all critical factors. By collecting and analyzing data on these factors, we can generate a comprehensive "Hypertension Score" that reflects the overall effectiveness of hypertension management within the area. This score can then be used to identify areas for improvement and to guide efforts to enhance the quality of care for individuals managing hypertension in this specific geographic location.

For a visual representation of the data and a deeper dive into the geographic distribution of healthcare resources within 08740 and Ocean Gate, we encourage you to explore the power of spatial analysis.

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