Overview
This report synthesizes current research on social needs screening in U.S. health care settings and identifies important gaps in the evidence. Its goal is to help health care organizations, policymakers, and researchers make better-informed decisions about implementing and expanding screening practices.
What the Resource Covers
The report organizes the evidence into five areas: how commonly social screening is used; the reliability and practical usefulness of available screening tools; patient and caregiver perspectives; health care provider perspectives; and research on screening implementation. It also includes an executive summary, slide decks, and podcasts that make the findings easier to apply in practice.
Key Takeaways for Implementation
The report shows that screening for non-medical needs is increasingly common, but important questions remain about which tools work best, how patients and providers experience screening, and how screening should be incorporated into health care workflows. Organizations planning to implement or expand screening can use the report to identify evidence-supported practices while recognizing areas where the research is still developing.
Who May Find This Resource Useful
This resource may be especially useful for health care organizations, policymakers, and researchers seeking a comprehensive overview of the evidence on needs screening and the remaining knowledge gaps to consider when implementing or scaling screening programs.
Resource Type: Issue Briefs & Reports; Tools & Toolkits.
Topic Areas: Non-medical needs screening, screening tools, patient experience, provider experience, implementation.
Population or Setting: Health care organizations.
Publication Date: 2022.
Source: Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network (SIREN).
