Integrating Social Needs into Health Care: An Implementation Science Perspective

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Implementation Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Unmet social needs, such as housing instability and food insecurity, significantly hinder patients' engagement in health behaviors and achieving optimal health outcomes.
• Healthcare systems are increasingly adopting social needs screening and assistance within clinical settings.
• Implementing and sustaining these programs face numerous challenges, necessitating collaboration with social service organizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review implementation approaches for social needs care in US healthcare systems.
• To systematically identify multilevel barriers and facilitators to implementing and sustaining social needs care using implementation science frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of implementation approaches.
• Application of implementation science frameworks to analyze barriers and facilitators.
• Analysis of the role of policies, economic investments, and cross-sector engagement.

Main Results:

• Policies and economic investments are critical determinants of success in both clinical and social service contexts.
• Cross-sector engagement, evidence-based strategies, and capacity building enhance implementation.
• Multilevel barriers and facilitators influence the integration and sustainability of social needs care.

Conclusions:

• Successful and sustained implementation of social needs care can enhance healthcare quality, population health, and health equity.
• Collaboration between healthcare and social service sectors is vital.
• Policy and financial support are essential for overcoming implementation challenges.