Social Determinants of Health Addressed for 300 Patients Seen by a Social Worker at Three Primary Care Sites in 2014
| SDH Classification Established by Wilkinson and Marmot1 | Patients for Whom the SDH Was Addressed (N = 300)* | Examples from Social Work Note |
|---|---|---|
| Social Gradient: impact of monetary assets, occupational security/level, and housing circumstances | 200 (67) | • Assisted patient in applying for medication assistance program |
| • Assisted patient in completing Medicaid application | ||
| • Provided patient information regarding subsidized housing | ||
| • Directed patient to financial assistance program for aid in affording home utilities | ||
| Social Support: impact of reliable emotional and tangible support systems | 75 (25) | • Assessed patient's support system for daily activities |
| • Connected patient to home care nursing assistance | ||
| • Discussed with patient their sources of emotional support | ||
| Transport: the means to access the health system and exercise in safe environments | 43 (14) | • Arranged patient's transportation to and from physician appointments via hospital van |
| • Assisted patient in completing application for cost-subsidized public transportation | ||
| Psychiatric Issues: need for referral to mental health provider† | 37 (12) | • Referred patient to on-site psychiatrist |
| • Referred patient to off-site counselor | ||
| Unemployment: increased risk of premature death | 14 (5) | • Discussed patient's recent unemployment and future employment goals |
| • Provided patient information in renewing occupational license | ||
| • Assisted patient in obtaining proof of disability | ||
| Food: access to affordable healthy options | 12 (4) | • Encouraged patient to apply for food stamps |
| • Educated patient regarding different home meal services | ||
| Stress: effects of anxiety, insecurity, low self-esteem | 11 (4) | • Briefly discussed patient's stress coping mechanisms |
| • Listened to patient describe stress of difficult marriage | ||
| Social Exclusion: effects of discrimination, debilitation, racism, stigmatization | 8 (3) | • Discussed patient's difficulties upon recent release from prison |
| • Referred patient struggling with blindness to support center to help increase quality of life | ||
| Addiction: impact of alcohol, nicotine, and drug dependence | 6 (2) | • Discussed different smoking cessation resource options |
| • Referred patient to on-site alcohol specialist | ||
| Work: impact of stress at work | 3 (1) | • Provided patient information regarding job retraining opportunities following patient's recent injury |
| Early Life: impact of emotional and developmental experiences of childhood and adolescence | 2 (1) | • Discussed how patient was affected by early relationships with family members |
| • Discussed patient's journey as an immigrant to this country |