Examining How Social Risk Factors Are Integrated Into Clinical Settings Using Existing Data: A Scoping Review

Integrating social care into clinical care requires substantial resources. Use of existing data through a geographic information system (GIS) has the potential to support efficient and effective integration of social care into clinical settings. We conducted a scoping literature review characterizin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of family medicine 2023-02, Vol.21 (Suppl 2), p.S68-S74
Main Authors: Ngongo, Wivine M, Peterson, Jonna, Lipiszko, Dawid, Gard, Lauren A, Wright, Katherine M, Parzuchowski, Aaron S, Ravenna, Paul A, Cooper, Andrew J, Persell, Stephen D, O'Brien, Matthew J, Goel, Mita Sanghavi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Databases, Factual
Geographic information systems
Health aspects
Humans
Management
Methods
Primary health care
Risk factors (Health)
Social aspects
Social medicine
Social Support
Systematic Review
Technology
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Summary:Integrating social care into clinical care requires substantial resources. Use of existing data through a geographic information system (GIS) has the potential to support efficient and effective integration of social care into clinical settings. We conducted a scoping literature review characterizing its use in primary care settings to identify and address social risk factors. In December 2018, we searched 2 databases and extracted structured data for eligible articles that (1) described the use of GIS in clinical settings to identify and/or intervene on social risks, (2) were published between December 2013 and December 2018, and (3) were based in the United States. Additional studies were identified by examining references. Of the 5,574 articles included for review, 18 met study eligibility criteria: 14 (78%) were descriptive studies, 3 (17%) tested an intervention, and 1 (6%) was a theoretical report. All studies used GIS to identify social risks (increase awareness); 3 studies (17%) described interventions to address social risks, primarily by identifying relevant community resources and aligning clinical services to patients' needs. Most studies describe associations between GIS and population health outcomes; however, there is a paucity of literature regarding GIS use to identify and address social risk factors in clinical settings. GIS technology may assist health systems seeking to address population health outcomes through alignment and advocacy; its current application in clinical care delivery is infrequent and largely limited to referring patients to local community resources.
ISSN:1544-1709
1544-1717
DOI:10.1370/afm.2932