Self-reported health-related social needs screening for new adult patients in an ambulatory oncology setting.

Authors

null

Michael Manni

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Michael Manni, Paige Barwick, Sunyi Zhang, Brittany Black, Hana Moles, Hakim Lakhani, Jocelyn H. Siegel, Michael J. Hassett, Nadine Jackson McCleary

Organizations

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Health-related social needs (HRSN) are strongly associated with patient health outcomes, making screening for HRSN a critical component to providing patient-centered oncology care. In April 2023, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Patient Reported Data (PRD) Program led the deployment of an EHR-integrated HRSN screening tool. Embedded within our New Patient Intake Questionnaire, the screening supports early identification of and response to needs, informs care planning and delivery, and aims to improves outcomes. Methods: PRD, in collaboration with DFCI’s Patient & Family Advisory Council and others, elected to use an HRSN screening tool deployed across the Mass General Brigham healthcare system (with which DFCI shares an EHR). HRSNs assessed include transportation, housing security, food security, medication costs, utility costs, family and childcare, education, and employment. New adult oncology patients (and/or proxy) were offered the HRSN questionnaire in multiple languages on any internet-enabled device via the patient portal or on a tablet in clinic. Responses were immediately available in the EHR for care team review with needs highlighted to support clinical decision making. Aggregate data is available within the DFCI electronic data warehouse and disseminated for internal use via a Tableau dashboard. Results: Between April 23 and May 31, 2023, 1,842 patients completed the HRSN screening questionnaire. Of responders, 246 (13.4%) were non-white, 725 (39.4%) were male, 72 (4.0%) had a non-English preferred language, and the mean age was 57 years at time of response. 12.8% (251) reported at least one HRSN. Reported HRSNs are described in Table 1. Among those reporting at least one need, the most frequently reported HRSNs are food insecurity (38.7%), utility costs (33.5%), and employment (20.7%). Conclusions: Even when considering much of the population seen at our comprehensive cancer center are relatively well-resourced, we find a meaningful proportion (12.8%) of patients reported HRSNs, demonstrating the importance of screening patients to ensure patient-centered care. Future work will determine additional points for rescreening of HRSNs and focus on improving patient’s access and uptake of screening. We will continue socializing and analyzing HRSN data to improve clinical practice and support the development of interventions to connect patients with available resources.

Number of patients with self-reported HRSN.

HRSN Total Need n (%)Non-white n (%)Age >=65 n (%)
Unique Pts 1+ Needs251 (100)66 (26.3)66 (26.3)
Food97 (38.7)25 (25.8)24 (24.7)
Utility Cost84 (33.5)17 (20.2)21 (25.0)
Employment52 (20.7)12 (23.1)0 (0)
Transportation51 (20.3)16 (31.4)15 (29.4)
Medication Cost48 (19.1)7 (14.6)22 (45.8)
Education40 (15.9)14 (35.0)0 (0)
Childcare/Family care38 (15.1)11 (29.0)8 (21.1)
Housing21 (8.4)6 (28.6)4 (19.1)

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B

Track

Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Palliative and Supportive Care

Sub Track

Interventions and Policies to Optimize Health Equity

Citation

JCO Oncol Pract 19, 2023 (suppl 11; abstr 194)

DOI

10.1200/OP.2023.19.11_suppl.194

Abstract #

194

Poster Bd #

F5

Abstract Disclosures

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