17970, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania Lung Cancer Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Lung Cancer Score in 17970, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania is 44 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 95.73 percent of the residents in 17970 has some form of health insurance. 44.06 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 70.49 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 17970 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 536 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 1 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 17970. An estimate of 1 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 677 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,536 health care providers accessible to residents in 17970, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania.

The task is to analyze the healthcare landscape within ZIP code 17970, specifically focusing on primary care availability and resources relevant to lung cancer care, and to rank doctors based on various factors. This analysis will be conducted without providing explicit lists or excessive keyword repetition, and will conclude with a call to action.

Saint Clair, Pennsylvania (ZIP code 17970), presents a unique healthcare environment. The town, nestled in Schuylkill County, faces challenges common to rural areas, including potential limitations in access to specialized medical care and a generally older population. Understanding the primary care landscape is crucial, as these physicians often serve as the first point of contact for patients exhibiting symptoms suggestive of lung cancer. Early detection is paramount for improving patient outcomes.

Assessing the availability of primary care physicians is the first step. Physician-to-patient ratios are a critical metric. A low ratio, indicating fewer doctors per capita, can lead to longer wait times for appointments and potentially delayed diagnoses. Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and local hospital systems, such as Schuylkill Health System, would be essential in determining this ratio. The analysis would need to consider the total population of Saint Clair and the number of practicing primary care physicians within the ZIP code and its immediate surrounding areas.

Beyond simple numbers, the quality and accessibility of care are paramount. The analysis would investigate the practices of primary care physicians in the area. This involves examining their affiliations with hospitals, their use of electronic health records (EHRs), and their participation in insurance networks. Practices with robust EHR systems often demonstrate better care coordination and facilitate the sharing of patient information with specialists, which is crucial for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A crucial aspect of this analysis is the identification of "standout practices." These are primary care providers who go above and beyond in their commitment to patient care. This could include practices that have implemented patient-centered medical homes, which emphasize a team-based approach to care, or those that have demonstrated a commitment to preventative care, such as offering smoking cessation programs and lung cancer screening. Information on patient satisfaction scores, obtained through surveys or online reviews (while acknowledging the limitations of such data), would also be considered.

Telemedicine adoption is another critical factor. Telemedicine offers the potential to bridge geographical barriers and improve access to care, especially for patients in rural areas. The analysis would assess the extent to which primary care physicians in Saint Clair utilize telemedicine for consultations, follow-up appointments, and remote monitoring of patients. Practices that embrace telemedicine can improve access to specialists and provide convenient care options for patients with mobility issues or transportation challenges.

The mental health resources available to patients are also important. A lung cancer diagnosis can be emotionally devastating, and patients often experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. The analysis would investigate the availability of mental health services within the primary care practices themselves, such as on-site therapists or counselors, as well as the referral pathways to mental health specialists in the community. Strong integration between primary care and mental health services is crucial for providing holistic care to patients.

The analysis would also consider the proximity and accessibility of specialists, particularly pulmonologists and oncologists. While primary care physicians play a vital role in early detection and referral, access to specialists is essential for accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer. The analysis would evaluate the travel time to specialists, the availability of appointments, and the coordination between primary care physicians and specialists.

Ranking doctors in ZIP code 17970 would be a complex undertaking. The ranking would be based on a composite score, considering factors such as physician-to-patient ratios, practice characteristics, telemedicine adoption, mental health resources, and access to specialists. The weight assigned to each factor would be determined based on its relative importance in providing high-quality lung cancer care.

The ranking would not be a simple numerical list. Instead, it would present a nuanced assessment of the primary care landscape in Saint Clair. The analysis would highlight the strengths and weaknesses of individual practices, providing valuable information to patients seeking primary care and to healthcare providers striving to improve their services.

The analysis would also consider the availability of lung cancer screening programs. Early detection through low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans can significantly improve survival rates. The analysis would assess the extent to which primary care physicians are actively involved in recommending and coordinating lung cancer screening for eligible patients, such as those with a history of smoking.

Furthermore, the analysis would consider the availability of support groups and resources for lung cancer patients and their families. These resources can provide emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community. The analysis would identify local support groups, patient advocacy organizations, and other resources available to patients in Saint Clair.

Ultimately, the goal of this analysis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the primary care landscape in Saint Clair, with a specific focus on resources relevant to lung cancer care. This includes assessing the availability of primary care physicians, the quality of care provided, the use of telemedicine, the integration of mental health services, and the accessibility of specialists.

This analysis, however, is just the beginning. Understanding the complexities of healthcare access requires a dynamic and visual approach. To truly grasp the spatial relationships between healthcare providers, patient populations, and resource availability, we encourage you to explore the power of geospatial mapping.

**Take the next step in understanding healthcare access. Visit CartoChrome maps to visualize the data and gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare landscape in Saint Clair and beyond.**