Food Insecurity: Physician Perspectives, Screening and Communication

Area of Science:

• Medical Practice
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Food insecurity (FI) is a significant social determinant of health.
• Primary care physicians may face challenges in identifying and addressing FI in clinical settings.
• Physician perspectives on FI screening are essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore primary care physician perspectives on food insecurity screening.
• To identify decision-making processes, communication strategies, and barriers related to FI screening.
• To understand physician experiences and attitudes towards addressing FI with patients.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory study surveyed primary care physicians in the Iowa Research Network (IRENE).
• The survey included structured and open-ended questions on FI screening experiences.
• Thematic and descriptive analysis was used to interpret provider perspectives.

Main Results:

• While most physicians observed FI, 27% never had.
• Screening decisions were often prompted by patient conversation; key barriers included time constraints and lack of resources.
• Physicians reported positive patient interactions and shared effective communication techniques.

Conclusions:

• Physician attitudes and practices reveal gaps and opportunities in FI screening.
• Understanding these perspectives can guide efforts to improve consistent and effective FI screening.
• Addressing barriers can enhance the integration of FI assessment into routine primary care.