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Social determinants of health and effectiveness of social work support in a pediatric aerodigestive program
Shravan Asthana1, Muhammad T Hassan1, Osama Hassan1
1Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, USA.
Background:
Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly influence the well-being of families in pediatric aerodigestive programs, affecting engagement with care, adherence to treatment, and overall health outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of SDOH and the effectiveness of social work support for families within a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program.
Methods:
A mixed-methods study was conducted at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago using a convenience sample of patients discharged between July and August 2023. Data were collected through a condensed SDOH screening questionnaire, qualitative interviews, social work documentation, and chart reviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring challenges and assess social work interventions.
Results:
Among 17 interviewed families, the majority of patients were Black (47.1 %) and male (56.3 %), with a mean age of 9.5 years. Key SDOH challenges included financial strain (62.5 %), caregiver stress (37.5 %), transportation barriers (31.3 %), food insecurity (25 %), and housing instability (12.5 %). Four major themes emerged: insufficient post-discharge support, the value of peer-family connections, the need for coordinated care, and the importance of aerodigestive-specific social work support.
Conclusions:
Families in pediatric aerodigestive programs face substantial SDOH-related barriers. Strengthening relationship-centered care, enhancing care coordination, and embedding longitudinal, program-specific social work support may improve outcomes and reduce caregiver burden.
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