A “clinical pearl”
Sample Solution
Clinical pearl: The importance of considering social determinants of health (SDOH) when caring for patients.
External references:
- Kaiser Family Foundation: Social Determinants of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Social Determinants of Health
How the topic was chosen:
This topic was chosen because it is a critical issue that is often overlooked in healthcare. SDOH are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. They include factors such as income, education, housing, transportation, access to healthy food, and exposure to violence.
Full Answer Section
Clinical pearl:
SDOH have a significant impact on patients' health outcomes. For example, patients with low income are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. They are also more likely to have difficulty accessing healthcare.
When caring for patients, it is important to consider their SDOH. This can help healthcare providers to better understand the patients' needs and to develop more effective treatment plans.
For example, if a patient has diabetes and is struggling to afford insulin, the healthcare provider may be able to help the patient to find a more affordable source of insulin or to apply for financial assistance programs. The healthcare provider may also be able to refer the patient to a social worker or other resources to help with other SDOH, such as housing or transportation.
Examples of how to consider SDOH in clinical practice:
- Ask patients about their SDOH during the intake process.
- Be aware of the resources available in your community to help patients with SDOH.
- Refer patients to social workers or other resources to help with SDOH.
- Advocate for policies that support SDOH, such as affordable housing and access to healthy food.
Conclusion:
Considering SDOH in clinical practice is essential for providing high-quality care to patients. By understanding and addressing the SDOH that affect patients' health, healthcare providers can help patients to achieve better health outcomes.