Patients’ perspectives on the collection and use of social determinants of health information during general internal medicine admissions

About

Our working and living conditions contribute to the majority of poor health outcomes. Data collection on sociodemographic and social needs (e.g., social support, housing) in healthcare settings could inform equitable health outcomes, improve care, and reduce costs. However, there is little research on the acceptability of this data collection and use in acute care settings including general internal medicine. This research will examine the perspectives of patients on this data collection and the use of this information to intervene on social needs.

Impact

This work may inform the provision of more equitable and holistic value-based care models that reduce underlying causes of illness in Ontario and improve the quality of care for patients.

In The Media

• Taking quality improvement upstream to address social needs