Patient perspectives of health-related social needs screening in an urban academic adult primary care practice

Health-related social needs (HRSNs) affect health outcomes and healthcare utilization. Patients’ perspectives on the incorporation of HRSN screening in primary care settings is limited. We sought to explore adult primary care patient perspectives of HRSN screening from optional patient-provided free-text comments as part of a pilot self-administered HRSN screening survey on seven domains of HRSNs from the Accountable Health Communities HRSNs Screening Tool. The survey was available in English, Chinese or Spanish with a section titled “Comments” that invited patient respondents to provide anonymous free-text responses. We performed a thematic analysis of the written patient comments. Of the 679 participants surveyed, 93 participants (13.7%) provided written comments. Participants expressed concern for others and gratitude for their health or socio-economic situation, commented on how HRSN screening could improve patient care, and shared stories of overcoming unmet HRSNs in the past. No written comments from participants conveyed dissatisfaction regarding HRSN screening. Identified themes of participant comments show participants’ strong recognition of how health is impacted by unmet HRSNs. Our study adds to the literature of patient perspectives that support a role for HRSN screening in primary care that could help give voice to patient needs and facilitate the delivery of patient-centered care. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Policy & Measurement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework (https://theberylinstitute.org/experience-framework/). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens