Determining Social Needs for Pediatric Patients in a Sioux Falls Pediatric Clinic

Social adversities such as financial insecurity, poor access to healthcare, shortage of food, and housing concerns can significantly impact health, especially for pediatric patients. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians address social risks and provide interventions. This is a study where a social needs assessment screening tool was implemented at a general pediatrics clinic in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to determine the needs of patients in the community with secondary outcomes evaluating ethnic differences in social needs.

Caregivers of pediatric patients being seen for a well-child examination were asked to participate by completing a social needs assessment form. If social needs were indicated, the clinic's health coach or the integrative health therapist contacted families to address the social need with resources available in the community.

Caregivers completed 240 forms. Sixty-eight (31 percent) of caregivers had at least one need, house utilities being the most common followed by childcare. Total number of needs was significantly affected by race and insurance status with more needs identified in American Indian and Black ethnicities and those with public insurance.

This was a successful implementation of a social needs assessment tool at a General Pediatric clinic. Further development and implementation of screening tools is necessary to continue to determine social needs of patients.