Electronic Health Records Impact on SDOH

/ Samples / By

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Introduction: Use Walden White paper or the CDC

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life… SDOH are one of three priority areas for Healthy People 2030, along with health equity and health literacy. Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives in five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. Some examples of SDOH included in Healthy People 2030 are safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; polluted air and water; and access to nutritious foods and physical health opportunities”.

https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

RESOURCES

LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

 

Optional Resources

 

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare:

  • Reflect on the concept of social determinants of health as presented in the resources.
  • Contemplate whether digital inclusion or broad band access should be added to the 5 key areas of social determinants of health.
  • Using the optional outside resources or other peer reviewed journal articles, consider how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health.

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9

Post a description of your views on whether or not digital inclusion or broad band access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Be specific and provide examples that support your position. Explain how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health. Support your explanation with the required or optional resources.

BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 9

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:

  • Respond to a colleague whose views differed from yours on whether digital inclusion of broad band access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Expand on your colleagues’ posting by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on the readings.
  • Respond to a colleague who discussed a different health IT system than you did. Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ posting, synthesizing the readings to provide new perspectives on how the system can impact or be impacted by the social determinants of health.

*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.

Electronic health records Impact on SDOH

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) refer to the various non-medical factors that significantly impact health outcomes. These factors encompass the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age, as well as the broader societal forces and systems that shape daily life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) identifies five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. These determinants play a crucial role in influencing health disparities and health outcomes in populations.

One emerging aspect that deserves consideration as a key area within SDOH is digital inclusion and broadband access. Digital inclusion refers to the equitable access and use of information and communication technology (ICT) resources and skills, including broadband internet access. In today’s increasingly digital and interconnected world, access to the internet is essential for numerous aspects of daily life, including education, employment, healthcare, and social interactions. As such, it can significantly impact health outcomes and disparities.

Digital inclusion and broadband access can be seen as integral to the SDOH framework in several ways:

  1. Healthcare Access and Quality: Access to telehealth services, which require reliable internet connections, has become crucial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with limited digital access may face barriers to receiving timely medical care, consultations, and health information.
  2. Education Access and Quality: With the growth of online learning, students without reliable internet access are at a disadvantage. This educational disparity can have long-term effects on health literacy and future employment opportunities.
  3. Economic Stability: Many job opportunities and income-generating activities are now online, making digital access essential for economic stability. Lack of access can lead to unemployment or underemployment, affecting overall economic well-being.
  4. Social and Community Context: Digital inclusion can facilitate social connections, access to support networks, and participation in community activities. Conversely, those without access may experience social isolation and poorer mental health.
  5. Neighborhood and Built Environment: Digital infrastructure, including broadband access, is an essential part of the built environment. Communities without adequate access may face disadvantages in terms of economic development and overall quality of life.

Adding digital inclusion and broadband access as a key area within SDOH recognizes their crucial role in shaping health outcomes. Just as access to clean water, nutritious food, and safe housing are considered social determinants of health, digital inclusion and broadband access should also be acknowledged as determinants that can exacerbate or mitigate health disparities.

Electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health (mHealth) apps, patient portals, and telemedicine are healthcare technologies that are closely intertwined with digital inclusion and broadband access. They can both impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health.

  1. Impact of Health IT on SDOH:
    • EHRs and Patient Portals: These technologies can improve healthcare access by allowing patients to access their health information, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers remotely. However, patients without digital access may be excluded from these benefits, exacerbating health disparities.
    • Telemedicine: Telehealth services rely heavily on broadband access. While they can improve healthcare access for those with digital access, they may leave behind individuals in underserved areas without reliable internet connections.
  2. Impact of SDOH on Health IT:
    • Social and Community Context: Patients’ ability to use EHRs, mHealth apps, and telemedicine may be influenced by their digital literacy, which is shaped by their social and community context. Individuals in areas with limited access to digital resources may struggle to engage with these technologies effectively.
    • Economic Stability: Affordability of smartphones, computers, and internet access can impact individuals’ ability to engage with health IT. Economic instability can lead to individuals foregoing these essential tools, affecting their health management.

In conclusion, digital inclusion and broadband access should be considered as key areas within the social determinants of health framework due to their significant influence on health outcomes. Ensuring equitable access to digital resources is essential for addressing health disparities and promoting health equity. Healthcare technologies like EHRs, mHealth apps, patient portals, and telemedicine can both improve healthcare access and be influenced by the broader social determinants of health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these factors in shaping overall well-being.

Scroll to Top