Do new quality measures for social risk screening 'measure up'?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Health Services Research
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Healthcare organizations face new standards and metrics for social risk screening.
• Recent literature on social risk screening in pediatric settings is summarized.
• Evidence gaps are identified to inform future standards development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on social risk screening in pediatric healthcare.
• To analyze how current evidence and gaps can inform future standards for social risk screening.
• To evaluate the impact of social risk screening on child health and health equity.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of social risk screening in pediatric healthcare.
• Analysis of reported screening rates, measures, and modalities.
• Examination of caregiver and provider experiences with screening and follow-up.
• Review of studies assessing the impact of screening on health outcomes.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in reported social risk screening rates, measures, and methods.
• Caregiver and frontline provider acceptability of screening is reported, but implementation faces challenges (time, workforce, social services).
• Few studies assess the health outcomes of social risk screening, focusing instead on immediate impacts of assistance programs.

Conclusions:

• Current literature does not confirm if screening quantity standards improve child health or equity.
• Quality measures should integrate patient/caregiver experience, not just screening numbers.
• Future efforts must link screening quality to improved social and health outcomes for children.