Patient perspectives on technology-based approaches to social needs screening

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Engagement
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Social determinants significantly impact health outcomes.
• Health systems are increasingly expected to screen for social needs.
• Limited data exists on patient preferences for social needs screening methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand patient perspectives on technology-based social needs screening.
• To identify patient preferences for health system engagement regarding social needs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing semistructured interviews with 54 participants.
• Interviews conducted with patients eligible for social needs screening.
• Analysis involved identifying themes related to patient experiences and preferences.

Main Results:

• Patients generally accepted social needs screening, with comfort using portal or tablet modalities.
• Participants recognized the link between social needs and health and were motivated to complete screenings.
• Trust in clinicians and data privacy were crucial for patient endorsement of the screening process.

Conclusions:

• Patient-centered approaches are vital for effective social needs identification.
• Technology-based screening can be a viable method for assessing social determinants of health.
• Building trust and ensuring privacy are essential for successful implementation of social needs screening.