26104, Parkersburg, West Virginia Hypertension Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Hypertension Score in 26104, Parkersburg, West Virginia is 70 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 93.70 percent of the residents in 26104 has some form of health insurance. 45.31 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 65.43 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 26104 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 3,514 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 4 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 26104. An estimate of 0 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 3,613 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 2,017 health care providers accessible to residents in 26104, Parkersburg, West Virginia.

## Hypertension Score Analysis: Parkersburg, WV (ZIP Code 26104)

This analysis delves into the landscape of hypertension management within Parkersburg, West Virginia (ZIP Code 26104), focusing on the availability and quality of primary care, physician-to-patient ratios, adoption of telemedicine, and integration of mental health resources. The goal is to provide a comprehensive 'Hypertension Score' assessment, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.

Parkersburg, a city in Wood County, faces challenges common to many rural communities, including an aging population and potential disparities in healthcare access. Effective hypertension management is crucial in this context, as uncontrolled high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney failure. The availability of quality primary care is the cornerstone of effective hypertension control.

**Primary Care Availability and Physician-to-Patient Ratios:**

The physician-to-patient ratio in Parkersburg is a critical factor influencing the overall 'Hypertension Score'. A lower ratio, indicating fewer physicians per capita, can lead to longer wait times for appointments, reduced patient follow-up, and potentially less effective management of chronic conditions like hypertension. Researching the specific physician-to-patient ratio within ZIP Code 26104 is essential for a precise score. This involves analyzing the number of primary care physicians (PCPs) actively practicing in the area and comparing it to the total population. Publicly available data from sources like the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the US Census Bureau will be needed to determine this.

The geographic distribution of PCPs is also important. Are practices concentrated in certain areas, leaving others underserved? This spatial analysis is crucial for understanding access disparities. The presence of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) or other safety-net providers can improve the score, as these facilities often serve a higher proportion of patients with chronic conditions and may offer sliding-scale fees, improving access for low-income individuals.

**Standout Practices and Their Impact:**

Identifying standout practices in Parkersburg is essential. These are primary care clinics that demonstrate excellence in hypertension management. This includes evaluating factors such as:

* **Patient outcomes:** What are the rates of blood pressure control among their hypertensive patients?
* **Adherence to guidelines:** Do they consistently follow evidence-based guidelines for hypertension treatment and management?
* **Patient education:** Do they provide comprehensive patient education on lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and self-monitoring?
* **Appointment availability:** How quickly can patients get appointments for routine checkups and follow-up visits?
* **Staffing:** Do they have a sufficient number of nurses, medical assistants, and other support staff to provide comprehensive care?

Practices that excel in these areas would contribute positively to the overall 'Hypertension Score'. Conversely, practices with significant shortcomings would negatively impact the score. The analysis should identify these practices and highlight their strengths and weaknesses.

**Telemedicine Adoption and Its Role:**

Telemedicine has the potential to significantly improve hypertension management, especially in rural areas where access to care can be limited. The level of telemedicine adoption among primary care practices in Parkersburg is a crucial factor in the 'Hypertension Score'. This includes:

* **Virtual consultations:** Do practices offer virtual appointments for medication refills, follow-up visits, and patient education?
* **Remote blood pressure monitoring:** Do they utilize remote blood pressure monitoring devices to track patient blood pressure readings at home?
* **Digital health tools:** Do they integrate digital health tools, such as mobile apps, to help patients manage their blood pressure?

Practices that embrace telemedicine can improve access to care, reduce the burden on patients, and potentially improve blood pressure control rates. The analysis should assess the extent of telemedicine adoption and its impact on patient outcomes.

**Mental Health Resources Integration:**

The link between mental health and hypertension is well-established. Stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to elevated blood pressure and make it more difficult to manage. The integration of mental health resources within primary care practices is therefore a crucial component of the 'Hypertension Score'. This includes:

* **Mental health screening:** Do practices routinely screen patients for mental health conditions?
* **On-site mental health providers:** Do they have access to on-site mental health professionals, such as therapists or psychiatrists?
* **Referral networks:** Do they have established referral networks to connect patients with mental health services in the community?
* **Collaboration:** Do PCPs and mental health professionals collaborate on patient care?

Practices that effectively integrate mental health resources are better equipped to provide comprehensive care and improve patient outcomes. The analysis should assess the availability and effectiveness of mental health integration.

**Overall Score and Improvement Strategies:**

The 'Hypertension Score' would be a composite metric, reflecting the combined impact of all these factors. It would be based on a weighted average, with each factor contributing to the overall score based on its relative importance. For example, physician-to-patient ratios might be weighted heavily, while telemedicine adoption might be weighted less heavily, depending on the specific context.

The analysis would conclude with recommendations for improvement. This might include:

* **Increasing the number of PCPs in the area:** This could involve attracting new physicians to Parkersburg or supporting existing practices to expand their capacity.
* **Promoting telemedicine adoption:** This could involve providing training and support to practices that are hesitant to adopt telemedicine technologies.
* **Enhancing mental health integration:** This could involve establishing partnerships with mental health providers or providing training to PCPs on mental health screening and management.
* **Improving patient education:** This could involve developing educational materials on hypertension management and promoting patient self-monitoring.

The goal is to provide a clear and actionable assessment of the current state of hypertension management in Parkersburg and to identify opportunities for improvement.

**CartoChrome Maps:**

For a visual representation of this data, and to see how these factors interplay geographically, consider using CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome maps can illustrate physician density, practice locations, and areas with limited access to care. They can also visualize the distribution of patients with hypertension and the impact of telemedicine and mental health resources. CartoChrome maps can help stakeholders understand the complex landscape of hypertension management in Parkersburg and make informed decisions about resource allocation and program development.