Healthcare Team Members’ Views on Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Practices in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Authors

Jadelynn Nagy, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow
Natalie J. Tedford, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow
Sahlil Ahmed, Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow
Sofia Thoms, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow
Akiko Kamimura, Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow
Maija Holsti, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USAFollow

Abstract

We aimed to explore the healthcare team members’ (HTMs) views on social determinants of health (SDH) screening and referral processes in a pediatric emergency department (PED). We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study to explore PED HTMs’ views on social care practices at a quaternary-level children’s hospital. The survey was created using a goal identification framework. The survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data by assessing SDH screening practices, comfort and personal habits in screening, prioritization of SDH domains, workflows to perform screening, and perceived barriers to screening. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and multiple reviewers to identify themes in free-text responses. There were 63 HTMs (48% response rate, Table 1), all of whom reported SDH screening efforts should continue in the PED (Fig. 1), yet 36% were unaware of the current SDH screening processes. Participants reported a median comfort level rate of 47.5 out of 100 when asking SDH-related questions (Fig. 1), and the highest reported barriers were “lack of knowledge/skill on resources” (77.3%), “lack of time” (68%), and “patient volume” (59%) (Fig. 2). Regarding the screening process, approximately half of the respondents suggested improvements in “integration of screening” and “variability of screening” (Fig. 4). This explorative analysis demonstrated that HTMs support continuing screening and referring patients for SDH-related needs. In addition, HTM survey respondents suggested improvements in screening and referral processes, opportunities for HTM training, and screening support to address social needs and ultimately improve patient health outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Nagy J, Tedford NJ, Ahmed S, Thoms S, Kamimura A, Holsti M. Healthcare Team Members’ Views on Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Practices in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Patient Experience Journal. 2024; 11(1):65-80. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.1877.

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