This project is focused on developing a better understanding of screening processes for social determinants of health (SDOH) in pediatric healthcare settings. We conducted interviews with pediatric providers in Michigan and California in February through June of 2020. These interviews help us evaluate existing screening processes in addition to gaining insights into pediatric provider perspectives in relation to SDOH screening, potential barriers to screening, and how SDOH knowledge is integrated into patient care.
Currently, we are working on qualitative data analysis of the interviews and have developed a list of preliminary themes, which were published in the Pursuit article about our work. The overall purpose of this research is to fill knowledge gaps and address barriers within current screening practices such that more streamlined, research-based policies and practices can be introduced to achieve the maximum benefit from SDOH screening. Additionally, we ultimately hope to investigate how SDOH screening relates to child health outcomes such as obesity.
This research is funded from the Childhood Obesity Research Core (P30 DK08950).