Table 4.

Preferences for Mode or Administration of Social Screening

First Author (Year)Findings
Key Quantitative Findings
Kocielnik (2019)72% of low-literacy patients favored chatbot-based screening over a self-administered survey (compared to 11% of high-literacy participants)
Palakshappa (2021)82% of participants found tablet-based system easy to use
85% of participants thought most people would learn to use the tablet-based system quickly
87% of participants felt very confident using the tablet-based system
Key Qualitative Findings
Wylie (2012)Most participants found a self-administered, computer-based questionnaire easy to use
Careyva (2018) Many participants expressed that tablet-based, self-administered social screening was acceptable

  • Younger participants expressed concerns regarding older participants’ technological literacy

  • Some older participants expressed a preference for speaking with a person over using a tablet

Hamity (2018)Previously screened participants wanted screening done in more preventive contexts than the ED
Byhoff (2019)Participants believed social screening must be conducted with compassion and empathy
Participants had no strong preference for in-person or electronic screening or when social screening should be conducted during the medical visit
Byhoff (2020)Many participants believed that having a strong relationship with providers made participants more comfortable sharing information regarding their social needs
Participants believed that transparency/trust demonstrated throughout the screening process was important
Emengo (2020)Participants preferred patient navigators to conduct screens over physicians
Participants were satisfied with being screened in waiting room
Wallace (2021)Participants would feel comfortable disclosing information to providers who demonstrated that they genuinely cared for participants’ well-being; most examples provided were of nurses and community health workers
Spain (2021)Participants preferred to be screened by nurses and community health workers over clinicians
Many participants appreciated empathetic and respectful approach that centered listening, relationship-building, and follow-up
Participants did not want to disclose social circumstances without a subsequent conversation or follow-up

  • Abbreviation: ED, emergency department.