A Multi-Method Investigation to Bridge Clinic and Community to Improve Healthcare Outcomes

Abstract:  As healthcare systems shift to value-based payment methods, providers' are increasingly responsible for patients' health outcomes, including those caused by the social determinants of health (SDOH). As a result, healthcare organizations are implementing screening programs to identify patients' social needs and to offer resources in response. This talk describes the results of two studies, exploring the prevalence of hospitals' capabilities to address patients' social needs and describing providers' current access to and usage of SDOH data in practice. Based on these findings, I will discuss implications for policy, practice, and the design of health information technology supporting SDOH screening.

Bio: Bradley Iott is a doctoral student in the University of Michigan’s PhD programs in Information Science and Health Services Organization and Policy, and prior to his doctoral training has earned master's degrees in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and Physiology, also at Michigan. Brad’s research is primarily focused on health information technology and health disparities. His research has been supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and the Parkview Health Mirro Center for Research and Innovation. His prior work includes efforts to improve the design of data visualization systems for patient-reported outcomes, studying the influence of patients’ trust related to privacy behaviors related to information sharing in clinics, and studying family caregivers’ use of care recipients’ online medical records. Brad’s dissertation work is focused on improving screening for the social determinants of health (SDOH) which affect patients in healthcare settings.