Screening for social determinants of health in primary care v1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Screening for social determinants of health in primary care: A feasibility study

• IRAS ID

  338784

• Contact name

  Emma Parry

• Contact email

  e.parry@keele.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Keele University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 3 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that impact on health, such as education, socioeconomic status, housing, and living environment. Recording these important details in a person’s GP record may lead to care plans that are better tailored to people’s unique circumstances and situation, and therefore, improved health outcomes. In addition, this information might help us to better understand health inequalities and to estimate where resources are most needed. However, there is currently no way of routinely collecting information about the social determinants of health in the United Kingdom. Therefore, this study aims to explore how feasible and acceptable it is to use a screening tool in primary care to collect information about the social determinants of health. In addition, it aims to provide information about the burden of social needs in the study population.
  This study is a mixed methods study, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Initially, we plan to recruit a sample of adult participants from three general practices in the West Midlands, to complete the screening tool using one of three different modes: SMS text, post, or telephone. Screening will also be conducted opportunistically during consultations. The different modes of collecting information about the social determinants of health will be compared using recruitment and non-response rates, the screening tool will be validated, and refined, and screening tool responses will be linked with information held in the Electronic Health Record, allowing us to explore associations of social need with healthcare burden. This quantitative data collection will be followed by semi-structured interviews with a sample of participants, and focus groups with practice staff and community stakeholders, to explore the acceptability of screening for social needs and the practicalities of using this screening tool in primary care.
  

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/YH/0057

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Mar 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion