A Posthospitalization Home Visit Curriculum for Pediatric Patients

Home visits allow physicians to develop a deeper understanding of patients' homes and community, enhance physician-patient connectedness, and improve physician treatment plans for patients. We describe a unique pediatric posthospitalization home visit curriculum to train residents about the social determinants of health (SDH).

Residents participated in an interactive presentation that discussed the logistics of making home visits and a background detailing SDH. During subsequent home visits, residents got to know the family and neighborhood on a deeper level. After each home visit, residents participated in a reflection session and considered the impact of SDH. Surveys were completed to capture data about residents' knowledge and attitudes regarding SDH and connectedness with the families. Families' perspectives were captured by phone surveys.

Of residents, 23 of 31 (74%) were able to make at least one home visit. After participating in the curriculum, residents reported increased confidence in understanding SDH (p = .048) and increased consideration of SDH when developing treatment plans (p = .007). All residents who made home visits predicted they would feel more confident in understanding how SDH impact patients they will care for in the future. Ninety percent of residents felt they made a stronger connection with the family. Eight families were surveyed, and all stated that the home visit had positive effects.

This curriculum teaches SDH while improving connections between physicians and patients.