SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pre-Professional Program Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in the Hospital Setting

Pdf Summary

This project evaluated an inpatient pre-professional health program designed to screen hospitalized adults for health-related social needs (HRSN) and connect them with resources, while also providing training for future healthcare professionals. From September 2021 to August 2023, 95 pre-professional health student volunteers at John Dempsey Hospital screened 2,020 adult inpatients using the PRAPARE tool via iPads and RedCap. Patients were assessed for food insecurity, housing instability/homelessness, transportation needs, and utility difficulties, along with basic demographics.<br /><br />Results showed that 569 patients (28.17%) screened positive for at least one HRSN, with an average of 1.72 needs among those who screened positive. Hospitalized patients frequently had social needs and often wanted help addressing them. Transportation difficulties were the need most associated with interest in receiving assistance during the hospital visit. Students were able to participate meaningfully in screening and helping address these needs.<br /><br />The findings suggest that pre-professional health students can effectively support inpatient HRSN screening and response efforts. The program offers a dual benefit: improving identification of patient needs and providing direct patient care experience and training for students. Future research should explore why some patients decline resource referrals despite screening positive, and how hospitals can better support uptake of services.

Asset Subtitle

Radha Patel

Meta Tag

Author List Christopher Steele, Radha Patel, Rose Karvandi, Zoha Sarwat

Category Innovations

Concept Social Needs

Concept Food Insecurity

Concept Housing Instability

Concept PRAPARE

Concept Screening Program

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Presenting Author Radha Patel

Track Other

Keywords

health-related social needs

inpatient screening

PRAPARE tool

pre-professional health students

hospitalized adults

resource referral

social determinants of health

food insecurity

housing instability

transportation needs

Social Needs

Food Insecurity

Housing Instability

PRAPARE

Screening Program