From office tools to community supports: The need for infrastructure to address the social determinants of health in paediatric practice
Fatima Fazalullasha, Jillian Taras, Julia Morinis, Leo Levin, Karima Karmali, Barbara Neilson, Barbara Muskat, Gary Bloch, Kevin Chan, Maureen McDonald, Sue Makin, E Lee Ford-Jones, Fatima Fazalullasha, Jillian Taras, Julia Morinis, Leo Levin, Karima Karmali, Barbara Neilson, Barbara Muskat, Gary Bloch, Kevin Chan, Maureen McDonald, Sue Makin, E Lee Ford-Jones
Abstract
Previous research has highlighted the importance of addressing the social determinants of health to improve child health outcomes. However, significant barriers exist that limit the paediatrician's ability to properly address these issues. Barriers include a lack of clinical time, resources, training and education with regard to the social determinants of health; awareness of community resources; and case-management capacity. General practice recommendations to help the health care provider link patients to the community are insufficient. The objective of the current article was to present options for improving the link between the office and the community, using screening questions incorporating physician-based tools that link community resources. Simple interventions, such as routine referral to early-year centres and selected referral to public health home-visiting programs, may help to address populations with the greatest needs.
Keywords: Health care delivery; Paediatrics; Social determinants of health.
Source: PubMed