Delivering effective patient care relies strongly on the patient-provider relationship. Patient engagement is becoming increasingly important as providers look for ways to improve health outcomes. Patient engagement relies on collaboration between patients, providers, and healthcare systems. It fosters active patient participation in their care, enabling them to make informed decisions, adhere to treatment plans, and ultimately achieve better health outcomes.
As healthcare organizations transition to value-based care, they increasingly recognize the importance of addressing patients’ social needs in order to engage them throughout their healthcare journey.
The Impact of Unmet Social Needs
Unmet social needs, like social isolation, food insecurity, and transportation challenges, can significantly impact how engaged patients are in their healthcare.
- Reduced self-confidence: Individuals struggling with unmet social needs may feel overwhelmed and unable to manage their health effectively. The burden of social challenges can gradually wear down their confidence and hinder their ability to actively participate in their care.
- Limited access to care: Transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or food insecurity can create barriers to regular healthcare access. Patients struggling with these issues may find it difficult to attend appointments, obtain prescriptions, or adhere to treatment plans.
- Poor adherence to treatment plans: The stress and instability associated with unmet social needs can make it challenging for patients to follow prescribed treatment plans. Non-adherence can lead to poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare utilization, and a higher risk of complications.
- Increased healthcare utilization: Unmet social needs often contribute to frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Patients with these challenges may seek acute care for issues that could be better managed through preventive measures and regular care.
- Decreased patient satisfaction: Patients with unmet social needs may be less satisfied with their healthcare experience and feel that their providers are not addressing their holistic needs, leading to frustration and disengagement from their care.
- Mental health issues: Social isolation can exacerbate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, further impacting patient engagement in their care. The loneliness and lack of support associated with social isolation can make it difficult for individuals to manage their mental health and engage effectively in their physical health care.
Addressing Social Needs to Enhance Patient Engagement
In order to effectively address Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs) and improve patient engagement, providers and healthcare organizations need to implement appropriate strategies.
- Screening and assessment: Integrating HRSN screening into routine clinical care allows providers to identify patients with unmet social needs. This proactive approach ensures patients receive the necessary support to address these challenges.
- Care manager and social work Interventions: Care managers and social workers play a crucial role in connecting patients with resourceson and support programs. They can assist patients with food, transportation, and other resources, helping address their social needs and improve their overall well-being.
- Collaboration with community organizations: Partnering with community organizations allows healthcare providers to extend their reach beyond the clinical setting. By working with community partners, providers can access a broader range of resources and address social needs at a population level.
- Technology-based solutions: Technology can be leveraged in two ways. One, it can be used to connect patients with resources, provide remote support, and facilitate communication between patients and providers. Secondly, technology can help proactively identify health barriers, arming providers and care managers with SDOH insights without relying on screenings or assessments.
- Patient empowerment: Educating and empowering patients to advocate for their own social needs is crucial. Providing patients with information about available resources and teaching them how to seek help can increase their self-efficacy and promote engagement in their care.
- Addressing stigma and discrimination: Recognizing and addressing social stigma and discrimination that may hinder patients from seeking help with their social needs is essential. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment, healthcare providers can encourage patients to open up about their challenges and seek assistance.
- Supporting research and policy initiatives: Advocating for research and policy initiatives that address the root causes of social inequality and promote equitable access to healthcare is vital.
The Future of Patient Engagement
In the healthcare industry’s transition towards a value-based care model, placing patients at the center of care has become paramount. To enhance engagement, healthcare providers must recognize the correlation between medical and social factors. By implementing regular screenings and assessments for social determinants of health, collaborating with community organizations, and leveraging technology to enhance insights and improve accessibility, healthcare providers can establish a comprehensive care model that empowers their patients to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Identify health barriers and prioritize patients with confidence
Learn how the Equity Equalizer™ platform is helping some of the country’s top ACOs empower provider teams with hyper-local actionable SDOH insights and improving care delivery.
