Although the importance of addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), such as food insecurity and housing instability, has become apparent, how to properly address these social determinants, and who should do so in the clinical environment, is less clear. According to a Leavitt Partner survey, the majority of physicians generally believe SDOH matter for their patients, but they do not believe that it is their responsibility to address them and do not feel well-positioned to do so.
The survey of 621 physicians was administered from June 2017 through July 2017. Throughout the survey, approximately 75% of physicians indicated that informing patients about the price of care and about health insurance, such as enrolling in public health insurance plans, would help them to a great or moderate extent. Additionally, 66% reported that they believe assistance in arranging transportation for healthcare would aide their patients to a great or moderate extent.
Over half (54%) also said that increasing patient income would assist their patients to a great or moderate extent, 48% indicated that help with food security would benefit their patients, and 45% reported that assistance with affordable housing would help their patients. Those who had been practicing for less than 20 years were significantly more likely to believe that increased income and assistance with arranging transportation would benefit their patients to a great or moderate extent.
Physicians with practices that had 30% or more of their patients on Medicaid were more likely to believe that increased income, affordable housing, and assistance with transportation would benefit their patients.
However, the majority indicated that they did not feel responsible for addressing these social needs. Over 90% reported that the doctor or insurer is not responsible for help with affordable housing or increased income, 84% reported that they were not responsible for assisting with food security, and 69% said they were not responsible for arranging transportation.
Physicians cited multiple reasons behind not being able to address these needs for the patients, including believing these factors are not within the capability of the physician's office, insufficient appointment duration, and lack of compensation for this type of assistance. They also reported that they believe patients have other resources for these social needs.
Among those who indicated that they believe physicians and insurers should help address patients’ social needs, the majority did not feel well positioned to do so. When asked who is best positioned to help patients, most indicated someone outside of the practice, but some believe that someone else in the office—either medical or administrative staff—is well-positioned.
Noting the prominence of physician burnout, the authors of the report argue that solutions to addressing SDOH must seek to reduce, not exacerbate, the burden on providers. They also note that these efforts must be matched by other sectors, such as employers, as addressing these needs is not solely the responsibility of those in the clinical setting.
“Although physicians can take steps within their own practices to help patients with their social needs and employers can help organize their communities, a broader societal investment in public health and social services is necessary,” they wrote. “Meaningfully addressing SDOH without adding to physician burden depends on channeling sufficient commitment and resources toward programs and policies that help physicians incorporate these social considerations in their practices.”
Social Determinants of Health Are Important, but Who Is Responsible for Addressing Them?
While the majority of physicians generally believe that social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and housing instability, matter for their patients, they do not believe that it is their responsibility to address them and do not feel well positioned to do so.
Although the importance of addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), such as food insecurity and housing instability, has become apparent, how to properly address these social determinants, and who should do so in the clinical environment, is less clear. According to a Leavitt Partner survey, the majority of physicians generally believe SDOH matter for their patients, but they do not believe that it is their responsibility to address them and do not feel well-positioned to do so.
The survey of 621 physicians was administered from June 2017 through July 2017. Throughout the survey, approximately 75% of physicians indicated that informing patients about the price of care and about health insurance, such as enrolling in public health insurance plans, would help them to a great or moderate extent. Additionally, 66% reported that they believe assistance in arranging transportation for healthcare would aide their patients to a great or moderate extent.
Over half (54%) also said that increasing patient income would assist their patients to a great or moderate extent, 48% indicated that help with food security would benefit their patients, and 45% reported that assistance with affordable housing would help their patients. Those who had been practicing for less than 20 years were significantly more likely to believe that increased income and assistance with arranging transportation would benefit their patients to a great or moderate extent.
Physicians with practices that had 30% or more of their patients on Medicaid were more likely to believe that increased income, affordable housing, and assistance with transportation would benefit their patients.
However, the majority indicated that they did not feel responsible for addressing these social needs. Over 90% reported that the doctor or insurer is not responsible for help with affordable housing or increased income, 84% reported that they were not responsible for assisting with food security, and 69% said they were not responsible for arranging transportation.
Physicians cited multiple reasons behind not being able to address these needs for the patients, including believing these factors are not within the capability of the physician's office, insufficient appointment duration, and lack of compensation for this type of assistance. They also reported that they believe patients have other resources for these social needs.
Among those who indicated that they believe physicians and insurers should help address patients’ social needs, the majority did not feel well positioned to do so. When asked who is best positioned to help patients, most indicated someone outside of the practice, but some believe that someone else in the office—either medical or administrative staff—is well-positioned.
Noting the prominence of physician burnout, the authors of the report argue that solutions to addressing SDOH must seek to reduce, not exacerbate, the burden on providers. They also note that these efforts must be matched by other sectors, such as employers, as addressing these needs is not solely the responsibility of those in the clinical setting.
“Although physicians can take steps within their own practices to help patients with their social needs and employers can help organize their communities, a broader societal investment in public health and social services is necessary,” they wrote. “Meaningfully addressing SDOH without adding to physician burden depends on channeling sufficient commitment and resources toward programs and policies that help physicians incorporate these social considerations in their practices.”
What We’re Reading: Emergency Care Prices Vary; Drug Shortages at Record High; Asthma Medication Access Difficulties
April 18th 2024Prices for care at hospital trauma centers vary across hospitals; drug shortages reached a record high during the first quarter of 2024; although 3 of the biggest makers of asthma inhalers pledged to cap out-of-pocket costs for some US patients at $35, these do not apply to daily inhalers used by the youngest kids with asthma.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Survival Rates in CLL: Targeted Agents vs Fludarabine Combo Therapy Study
April 17th 2024Researchers conducted an analysis of 4 phase 3 trials, covering 2751 patients, to address the potential for targeted agents in younger and physically fit patients who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen
COVID-19 Not Associated With Asthma Development in Children
April 17th 2024COVID-19 likely does not increase the risk of asthma development in pediatric patients, research suggests.
Read More
Study Links COVID-19 Pandemic to Rise in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer in US
April 17th 2024There was greater use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among US patients with ovarian cancer (OC) during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce potential COVID-19 exposure and cancer treatment-related complications.
Read More
What We’re Reading: Emergency Care Prices Vary; Drug Shortages at Record High; Asthma Medication Access Difficulties
April 18th 2024Prices for care at hospital trauma centers vary across hospitals; drug shortages reached a record high during the first quarter of 2024; although 3 of the biggest makers of asthma inhalers pledged to cap out-of-pocket costs for some US patients at $35, these do not apply to daily inhalers used by the youngest kids with asthma.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Survival Rates in CLL: Targeted Agents vs Fludarabine Combo Therapy Study
April 17th 2024Researchers conducted an analysis of 4 phase 3 trials, covering 2751 patients, to address the potential for targeted agents in younger and physically fit patients who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen
COVID-19 Not Associated With Asthma Development in Children
April 17th 2024COVID-19 likely does not increase the risk of asthma development in pediatric patients, research suggests.
Read More
Study Links COVID-19 Pandemic to Rise in Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer in US
April 17th 2024There was greater use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among US patients with ovarian cancer (OC) during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce potential COVID-19 exposure and cancer treatment-related complications.
Read More