Patient Perspectives on Addressing Social Needs in Primary Care Using a Screening and Resource Referral Intervention

Area of Science:

• Social determinants of health
• Patient-centered care
• Primary care interventions

Background:

• Growing interest in addressing social needs within clinical settings.
• Limited understanding of patient experiences with these interventions.
• Need for patient perspectives on social needs support.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate patient experiences with a primary care-based social needs intervention.
• Assess patient-reported outcomes of connecting with community resources via volunteer advocates.
• Understand the perceived impact of the intervention on patients' lives.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative telephone interviews with 102 patients.
• Intervention involved screening for social needs, referral to volunteer advocates, and follow-up.
• Thematic analysis of interview data to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Patients appreciated the intervention, particularly the follow-up support.
• Assistance with navigation (forms, calls) improved resource access.
• Patients felt listened to and cared for, highlighting the therapeutic relationship.

Conclusions:

• Patient-reported insights are crucial for human-centered clinical interventions.
• The intervention's success lies in its ability to foster a therapeutic alliance.
• Findings inform the design of more holistic and patient-centered care models.