Community Resource Awareness and Referral Practices of Health Care Providers to Support Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Catherine Rudolph, Sarah Francis, Alexandra Bauman
Primary Institution: Iowa State University
Hypothesis
Healthcare providers' awareness and referral practices regarding social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly impact the well-being of older adults.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers are generally aware of food and nutrition services but face barriers in referrals due to staffing shortages and access issues.
Supporting Evidence
- SDOH screening was highest for healthcare access, mental health, and food insecurity.
- Respondents were most aware of and referred older patients to food pantries and nutrition education.
- Common referral barriers included staffing shortages and lack of program access.
- Over one-half of providers expressed high interest in learning more about community-based services.
Takeaway
Doctors and nurses know about some resources to help older people, but they often struggle to connect them to these services.
Methodology
A nationwide online survey was conducted among U.S. healthcare providers caring for adults over 60, assessing their SDOH screening and referral practices.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in responses due to self-selection of participants and self-reporting.
Limitations
The study may not capture all healthcare providers' practices due to its reliance on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
U.S. healthcare providers who care for adults over 60.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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