Proceedings from the 2021 SAEM Consensus Conference: Research Priorities for Interventions to Address Social Risks...

Area of Science:

• Social Determinants of Health
• Emergency Medicine
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Emergency departments (EDs) serve as critical health and social safety nets, addressing the needs of high-risk populations.
• Limited research exists on effective ED-based interventions for social risks and needs.

Approach:

• A comprehensive approach involving literature review, expert feedback, and consensus-building identified research gaps.
• The 2021 SAEM Consensus Conference refined priorities through moderated discussions and surveys.
• Three key gaps were identified: intervention assessment, implementation within the ED environment, and inter-system communication.

Key Points:

• Six research priorities were derived from the identified gaps.
• Future research should focus on patient-centered outcomes and risk reduction measures for intervention assessment.
• Methods for integrating interventions into the ED setting and fostering collaboration are crucial.

Conclusions:

• Identified research gaps and priorities will guide future efforts to develop effective ED-based interventions.
• Building robust relationships with community health and social systems is essential.
• Addressing social risks and needs in the ED setting can significantly improve patient health outcomes.