More physicians ask about patients' social needs
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Doctors are increasingly asking their patients about their needs for food and housing during medical appointments, but the frequency of such screening remains low, a new study shows.
The big picture: Asking about so-called social determinants of health doesn't necessarily mean patients in need are being referred to social service organizations that can help, but it's an important first step.
What they found: 27% of physician practices studied screened for five common social risk factors in 2022, according to a study published Friday in JAMA Network Open.
- That's up from 15% in 2017.
- Both the 2022 and 2017 studies surveyed physician practices on whether they asked patients about their experiences with interpersonal violence, access to transportation, food insecurity, housing instability and utility needs.
Yes, but: Nearly three-quarters of practices responding to the 2022 survey screened for at least one social risk, up from 67% in 2017.
- Interpersonal violence was screened for most often in both surveys.
Zoom in: Federally qualified health centers were more likely than other types of practices to screen for social needs.
- Practices that had a culture of innovation, advanced information systems and more exposure to alternative payment initiatives from insurers also screened patients at a higher rate.
What's next: More research is needed on how social needs screening affects patient health outcomes, the study said.
