Self-Assessment Quiz Question #3 Individuals suffering from addiction were more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection due to higher rates of all the following EXCEPT: a. Increased likelihood of homelessness.
b. High socioeconomic status. c. Uninsured or underinsured. d. Cigarette smokers.
THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER’S ROLE IN DECREASING DISPARITY
of safe parks experience greater rates of tobacco use, poor nutrition, and inadequate physical activity—because it is easy to make unhealthy choices in these areas. In addition to counseling people on healthy choices, interventions on a community or city level are often necessary. Improvements such as developing bicycle lanes, parks, and sidewalks to increase the use of active transport or introducing farmers markets to improve access to healthy foods can create an environment that is more supportive to making healthy choices (Andermann, 2016). (CMS, n.d.). The Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks, and Experiences (PRAPARE) is both a risk assessment and a method to respond to identified areas of need. The 21-question patient-completed risk assessment focuses on social drivers of health and serves to assist in data collection (National Association of Community Health Centers, 2024). Information gathered about social determinants should be recorded in the medical record so that the whole care team can be informed and prepared to address the patient’s needs when care planning (Andermann, 2016). Once the social challenges a patient is facing have been defined and discussed, healthcare providers should refer patients to local support services. Providers can help patients access local resources and benefits both within and beyond the healthcare system, such as food banks, housing advocacy groups, or Medicaid enrollment assistance. The patient care team should work together to connect patients with these services and follow up to ensure patients receive the assistance they need (Andermann, 2016). Self-Assessment Quiz Question #4 Which of the following can be utilized during a primary care appointment to collect information from patients about social challenges? a. Ask about social challenges in a culturally unacceptable way. b. Ask every patient a series of 25 questions during the appointment to gather as much information as possible about social determinants of health. c. Utilize empathy and compassion to create an environment that allows people to be more forthcoming about their concerns or symptoms. d. Require patients to spend 10 minutes discussing their living situation prior to addressing their health concerns.
Modern medicine focuses on preventing disease through behavior modification, such as reducing salt intake or smoking cessation. Since many people have a lack of control over the factors that make them sick and develop unconscious responses to environmental stimuli, this approach is often ineffective. It is important to create an environment that supports the individual and makes it easy to make healthy choices to help them succeed. For example, neighborhoods with higher concentrations of convenience stores, more fast food restaurants, and a lack Actions to take at the patient level Healthcare providers are well versed on utilizing preventative practices for early intervention to promote health and prevent disease. Addressing social determinants as a part of care practices can improve the health of individuals and communities. Since it may not always be obvious what social disadvantages a patient may be experiencing, providers can be supportive of patients by asking for a social history, referring to local support resources, helping with access to local services, and being supportive through the referral process and beyond. Providers are encouraged to have a heightened awareness of red flags and cues from patients that can indicate social disadvantages, and to utilize these opportunities to weave social history questions and guidance seamlessly into conversations. Over 40% of socially disadvantaged patients report that their primary care provider was not aware of their situation, such as not getting enough food or not being able to pay for medications. Failing to identify social disadvantages can lead to inappropriate care plans or misdiagnosis. While many patients experience social difficulties at some point in their lives, it is important to be aware of opportunities to discuss these issues because they can significantly impact the patient’s overall health (Andermann, 2016). Patients should be asked about social challenges in a sensitive, caring, and culturally acceptable way. Empathy and compassion create an environment that allows people to be more forthcoming about their concerns or symptoms, leading to better care and more accurate diagnoses. Screening questions can be worked into conversations with patients, or screening questionnaires can be administered prior to the appointment so that the provider can be prepared to discuss any concerns during the appointment (Andermann, 2016). Available screening tools include the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) tool developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This tool is intended to be completed by the individual about themselves but can also be completed by a parent or caregiver. It addresses living situation, food security, transportation, utilities, general safety, financial strain, employment, and community support, with client responses indicating potential risks
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