PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Udezi, Victoria
AU  - Dixon, Juliana
AU  - Bonilla, Liliana
TI  - Clinician and Patient Perceptions of Social Determinants of Health Screening
AID  - 10.1370/afm.22.s1.5667
DP  - 2023 Nov 01
TA  - The Annals of Family Medicine
PG  - 5667
VI  - 21
IP  - Supplement 3
4099  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/21/Supplement_3/5667.short
4100  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/21/Supplement_3/5667.full
SO  - Ann Fam Med2023 Nov 01; 21
AB  - Context: Health outcomes and disparities are largely a result of social determinants of health (SDOH). Despite endorsement for SDOH screening by multiple medical organizations and public health agencies, this is not a regular practice in many primary care clinics.Objective: Our study aimed to understand patient perspectives on SDOH screening and identify barriers to screening among clinical staff.Study Design and Analysis: We developed two surveys: (1) a clinician survey which assessed knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to SDOH screening, and (2) a patient survey which assessed perceptions and personal experience of SDOH using cross-sectional data.Setting : Surveys were conducted at a family medicine residency clinic primarily serving underserved populations in Dallas County.Population Studied: Clinicians and patients at a family medicine residency clinic in Dallas County.Instrument(s): Clinician surveys were distributed electronically to all health professionals with a 33% response rate. Paper-based patient surveys (available in English and Spanish) were distributed at check in to patients in two phases ; with survey questions rephrased for clarity in Phase 2 (P2) based on feedback from Phase 1(P1).Outcome Measures: The study outcomes were clinician acceptability of screening for SDOH and patients perspectives on screening for SDOH.Results : Among the 26 staff surveyed, 96% agreed it was appropriate to screen for SDOH but only 65% felt comfortable addressing SDOH. Only 46% were familiar with validated SDOH screening tools. Clinicians reported, “lack of time” (39%) and “lack of knowledge” (30%) as the largest barriers.A total of 88 patients (39 in P1 and 49 in P2) were surveyed. Patients in both phases endorsed currently experiencing SDOH (38%; 53%) but few had been asked about them (21%; 35%). The majority of patients said they would like their doctor/clinic to ask about SDOH (51%, 65%) and felt it would positively impact the clinical relationship (41%; 67%). Access to nutritious food (21%; 27%), housing instability (18%; 27%), and transportation (26%; 22%) were the most frequent SDOH needs identified.Conclusion: The prevalence of SDOH needs within our clinic population justifies routine screening. Further, both clinicians and patients feel positively about SDOH screening but clinician knowledge remains a barrier. Future efforts will focus on improving clinician knowledge and making assistance with SDOH more readily available.