by A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that patients who have encounters in the emergency department are more likely to screen positive for social determinants of health (SDOH) needs. The study, conducted by researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine, aimed to explore the characteristics of patients who are screened and screen positive for SDOH needs in different clinical settings within a large health system.
The researchers administered systemwide standardized SDOH screens in Intermountain Healthcare primary care clinics and emergency departments over a span of one year. The data collected during this period included 2,058,836 in-person primary care encounters, 389,789 virtual primary care encounters, and 383,596 emergency department encounters.
The findings of the study revealed that during the study period, only a small percentage of encounters were screened for SDOH needs. Specifically, 16.7% of in-person primary care encounters, 8.0% of virtual primary care encounters, and 0.2% of emergency department encounters were screened. However, despite the lower screening rates in the emergency department, it was found that emergency department encounters were significantly more likely to reveal positive SDOH needs compared to other encounters (51.6% versus 7.8%).
The study also highlighted significant associations between certain patient characteristics and positive SDOH screening. Married marital status and diagnoses of chronic pulmonary disease or cancer were found to be less likely to be associated with positive SDOH screening. On the other hand, Hispanic ethnicity, a high area deprivation index, and diagnoses of depression, drug use disorder, or obesity showed significant associations with positive SDOH screening.
The authors of the study noted that the higher likelihood of patients in the emergency department screening positive for SDOH needs is not surprising, given the utilization patterns typically observed in emergency care. It is common for patients in the emergency department to present with urgent and complex health concerns, which could be influenced by social factors such as access to resources, housing stability, or mental health issues.
The findings of this study emphasize the importance of screening for SDOH needs, particularly in emergency department settings. Identifying and addressing these social factors can help healthcare providers develop more comprehensive and patient-centered care plans. By understanding the social determinants that may have an impact on a patient’s health, healthcare providers can better support their patients and improve health outcomes.
Moving forward, further research is needed to explore strategies to increase screening rates for SDOH needs across different clinical settings. By implementing effective screening protocols and interventions, healthcare systems can work towards addressing the social factors that contribute to health disparities and ultimately improve the overall health and well-being of patients.
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Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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