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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 5 of 5 Research Studies DisplayedKostelanetz S, Pettapiece-Phillips M, Weems J
Health care professionals' perspectives on universal screening of social determinants of health: a mixed-methods study.
The purpose of this AHRQ-funded study was to assess health care providers’ perceptions of universal social determinants of health (SDH) screening. Th researchers used mixed methods of electronic surveys and qualitative interviews to assess health care providers (physicians, administrators, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and case managers) on their perceptions of universal SDH screening at an academic medical center. The electronic survey evaluated SDH screening practices, attitudes and barriers to universal screening, priorities for SDH domains, and disciplines to perform screening. There were 193 survey participants, representing a 62.5% response rate, most of which were physicians (31%) or social workers (22%). Ninety-three percent of respondents reported using SDH information in patient care, with 95% reporting that social workers were the most appropriate for providing screening. Barriers to SDH screening which were identified included lacking the: resources to address the needs which were identified (51%); time to ask (45%); staff to ask (33%) and; training in responding to the identified needs (28%). Social worker staff reported barriers less frequently than non- social worker staff. The qualitative interview (n=16) results were utilized to elaborate the electronic survey findings and identify themes. Qualitative interview data supported the survey findings and described barriers such as lack of standardized approaches and professional burnout. The researchers concluded that health care providers support universal social determinants of health screening and recommend that strategies to address barriers to implementation should include improving SDH data access for providers and capitalize on social worker expertise.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Kostelanetz S, Pettapiece-Phillips M, Weems J .
Health care professionals' perspectives on universal screening of social determinants of health: a mixed-methods study.
Popul Health Manag 2022 Jun;25(3):367-74. doi: 10.1089/pop.2021.0176..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Screening, Provider: Health Personnel
Cole MB, Nguyen KH, Byhoff E, Byhoff E
Screening for social risk at federally qualified health centers: a national study.
In the United States, millions of low-income patients have unaddressed social risks. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide services to approximately 29.8 million low-income patients, and data on social risk screening capabilities had never been collected across all FQHCs until 2019. The purpose of this study was to analyze the social risk screening capabilities across the FQHCs, report the national rates, identify screening predictors, and compare rates between states. The researchers collected data from the 2019 Uniform Data System from all 1,384 FQHCs across the U.S., with a primary outcome of determining whether each FQHC collected data on their patients’ social risk factors. The researchers also estimated the relationship between the characteristics of 7 FQHCs (such as their size, and various Medicare features), and their probability of conducting social risk screening. The study reported that 71% of FQHCs collected information on social risks, with variances between states. The researchers concluded that while the majority of FQHCs collect data on social risk factors, there are disparities between different states, and that smaller FQHCs may benefit from having social risk screening resources focused on them and may increase their use of screening tools and practices.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Cole MB, Nguyen KH, Byhoff E, Byhoff E .
Screening for social risk at federally qualified health centers: a national study.
Am J Prev Med 2022 May;62(5):670-78. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.11.008..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Vulnerable Populations, Screening
Steeves-Reece AL, Totten AM, Broadwell KD
Social needs resource connections: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and evaluation.
The purpose of this mixed-studies review was to evaluate how studies assess social needs (for example, food and housing) resource connections and identifies the factors reported by patients and caregivers that that may prevent or facilitate connections to resources. The researchers developed a priori selection criteria which were used in a dual review to select PubMed and CINAHL articles published from October 2015 to December 2020. Data was analyzed in 2021. The researchers identified 34 articles from 32 studies and created a taxonomy of resource connection measures with 4 categories: 1) whether participants had contact with resources; 2) whether participants received resources; 3) whether participants had their social needs addressed; or 4) whether participants rated some aspect of their experience with resources. Barriers to resource connections included inadequacy, inaccessibility, fears surrounding stigma or discrimination, staff training, and others. Facilitators included relevancy, degree of support within the interventions, inclusivity of the interventions, and others. The authors concluded that this review study highlights variables that can be addressed to improve the screening of social needs and referral interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS027707.
Citation: Steeves-Reece AL, Totten AM, Broadwell KD .
Social needs resource connections: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and evaluation.
Am J Prev Med 2022 May;62(5):e303-e15. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.12.002..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Screening
Murray E, Roosevelt GE, Vogel JA
Screening for health-related social needs in the emergency department: adaptability and fidelity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers sought to evaluate a screening and referral program for health-related social needs (HRSN) in an emergency department. Using the Accountable Health Communities Screening Tool, they found that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, HRSN doubled, likely reflecting the economic impact of the pandemic.
AHRQ-funded; HS023901.
Citation: Murray E, Roosevelt GE, Vogel JA .
Screening for health-related social needs in the emergency department: adaptability and fidelity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Am J Emerg Med 2022 Apr;54:323.e1-23.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.09.071..
Keywords: COVID-19, Social Determinants of Health, Emergency Department, Screening, Public Health
Frehn JL, Brewster AL, Shortell SM
Comparing health care system and physician practice influences on social risk screening.
This study examined the association of multilevel organizational capabilities and adoption of social risk screening among system-owned physician practices. A secondary analysis of the 2018 National Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Systems data was conducted. Five social risks were used as measures for physician and system screening: food insecurity, housing instability, utility needs, interpersonal violence, and transportation needs. System-owned practices screened an average of 1.7 of the 5 social risks assessed. The differences were 16% attributable to practice variation between their health system owners, and 84% attributable to differences between individual practices. Practices owned by hospital systems screened for an additional 0.44 social risks relative to practices of systems without hospitals. Characteristics associated with more social risk screening included health information technology capacity, innovation culture, and patient engagement strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS024075; HS022241.
Citation: Frehn JL, Brewster AL, Shortell SM .
Comparing health care system and physician practice influences on social risk screening.
Health Care Manage Rev 2022 Jan-Mar;47(1):E1-e10. doi: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000309..
Keywords: Health Systems, Social Determinants of Health, Screening, Risk