How to Address Social Determinants of Health

Price transparency enables patients to budget for their treatment. Providers are encouraged to level the quality and cost of their services in comparison to other providers as the cost of services becomes more transparent.

Fremont, CA:The conditions in which a person is born, grows, lives, works, and ages that shape their health over their lifetime are referred to as social determinants of health. For some, they can be an impediment to receiving quality medical care. Medical professionals across the country are working to find ways to assist patients in overcoming the social determinants that limit their access to care.

Given are key ways to address them:

Telehealth

Telehealth is improving access to care as a social determinant for patients across the country by meeting them where they are. They no longer need to take time off work, leave their homes, or strain themselves to make it to specialist appointments. Telehealth enables people to meet with their providers more frequently, in the form of a video visit, to address various aspects of their health. This more convenient visit option is assisting patients all over the world in remaining more engaged and involved in their medical care, improving outcomes and increasing the level of services they use.

Managing Chronic Care

Chronic Care Management is also improving access to quality care for thousands of patients suffering from multiple chronic conditions across the US. Chronic illness frequently necessitates the consultation of multiple specialists, which can be a negative social determinant for many. Trying to keep track of all of the small details that comprise their complicated network of care is exhausting, and it frequently leaves patients discouraged, overwhelmed, and with a mountain of medical paperwork.

Eligible patients can now obtain care coordination services from physicians who provide CCM services in their practise. This allows patients to keep track of all the important details that were previously a negative social determinant, promoting a higher quality of life and a better patient experience.

Health Practice Technology

More and more providers are realising that these social determinants of health have a significant impact on their patients' outcomes. Some health practise technology vendors are working to make data about social determinants of health available in one's Electronic Health Record. While there is a lack of policy surrounding the collection and utilization of social determinant data, vendors all over the world are eager to get started so that providers can better understand their community and the challenges they face with medical care.

Price Transparency

Price transparency enables patients to budget for their treatment. Providers are encouraged to level the quality and cost of their services in comparison to other providers as the cost of services becomes more transparent. Transparency in pricing also encourages patients to pay their bills.