The Intersection of Social Determinants of Health on HIT and Patient Outcomes
Health literacy is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as, “the cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health” (n.d.). The American Medical Association (AMA) defines health literacy as, “a constellation of skills, including the ability to perform basic reading and numerical tasks required to function in the health care environment” (Baker, 2006). These definitions highlight the importance of health literacy for both healthcare workers and patients.
Whether it is the ability to fully analyze and interpret a researched study, or to speak to patients in a way that gains their trust and develops their understanding, health literacy directly relates to patient care.
However, understanding the importance of health literacy does not directly correlate to effective health literacy, so how does health literacy impact patient outcomes? What barriers or social determinants might impact health literacy?
For this Discussion, reflect on your understanding of health literacy, health information technology, and health economics. Consider the impact of each of these topics and explore how they are related to patient care. You will also recommend strategies to overcome potential barriers as they relate to the topics.
References:
Baker, D. W. (2006). The meaning and measure of health literacy.
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21(8), 878–883. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00540.x
World Health Organization. (n.d.).
Health promotion.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
· American Nurses Association. (2015).
Nursing informaticsLinks to an external site.
: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.).
· “Standard 5: Implementation” (pp. 73–74)
· “Standard 5a: Coordination of Activities” (p. 75)
· “Standard 6: Evaluation” (p. 78)
· “Standard 11: Communication” (p. 86)
· “Standard 12: Leadership” (pp. 87–88)
· “Standard 15: Resource Utilization” (p. 92)
· Bakken, S., & Dreisbach, C. (2022).
Informatics and data science perspective on Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a pathway to health equityLinks to an external site..
Nursing Outlook, 70, S77–S87.
· Cummins, M., Kennedy, R., McBride, S. & Carrington, J. (2021).
Policy priorities in nursing informatics: The American Academy of Nursing Informatics and Technology Expert Panel in 2020Links to an external site..
CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing,
39(3), 120–122.
· Johnson, C. B. (2024).
Nurse informaticists’ role in promoting health equityLinks to an external site..
Nursing,
54(5), 38–44.
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 12).
Health equityLinks to an external site.
[Video]. YouTube.
· Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. (2021, November 15).
Nurses are chipping away at the layers of social determinants of healthLinks to an external site.
[Video]. YouTube.
· Palakshappa, D., Scheerer, M., Semelka, C. T., & Foley, K. L. (2020).
Screening for social determinants of health in free and charitable clinics in North CarolinaLinks to an external site..
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 31 (1), 382–397. doi:10.1353/hpu.2020.0029
To Prepare
· Review the Learning Resources associated with the topics: Health Literacy, Health Information Technology (HIT) on Patient Outcomes, and Health Economics.
· Consider the role of each of these topics in influencing how healthcare is delivered and practiced in your healthcare organization or nursing practice.
By Day 3 of Week 8
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
· What strategies do you recommend for addressing barriers and challenges associated with social determinants of health in nursing practice? How can nurses effectively use information technologies to support the delivery of equitable care to all patients?
By Day 6 of Week 8
Read a selection of your colleagues’ blog posts and
respond to
at least two of your colleagues on
two different days by expanding upon their responses or sharing additional or alternative perspectives.
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
Elizabeth N
The Intersection of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) with Health Information Technology (HIT) and Patient Outcomes.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. They include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support networks, and access to healthcare (Chelak & Chakole, 2023). Various social factors influence health and how effectively health information technology (HIT) improves patient care, such as access to technology, health literacy, cultural competence, and economic factors (Rangachari & Thapa, 2025).
For instance, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may lack access to the internet or devices needed to use HIT effectively. This can create disparities in health information access and lead to poorer health outcomes for these populations. Moreover, individuals with lower educational attainment may find it difficult to understand health information provided through HIT, potentially resulting in mismanagement of health conditions and lower adherence to treatment plans (Rangachari & Thapa, 2025).
Cultural differences can also affect how patients interact with HIT. For example, if technology does not consider cultural contexts, it may not be used effectively, which may result in a lack of engagement with health care services and resources, leading to worse health outcomes. Additionally, economic instability can limit patients’ ability to afford necessary healthcare services, even if they have access to HIT, leading to delayed care or avoidance of necessary treatments, and negatively impacting health outcomes (Rangachari & Thapa, 2025).
Strategies to Address Barriers and Challenges Associated with SDOH in Nursing Practice.
Addressing barriers and challenges associated with social determinants of health in nursing practice is crucial for providing holistic patient care. Several strategies that nurses can be implemented to tackle these barriers effectively include comprehensive assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient education, community resource integration, advocacy, policy engagement, and cultural competence (Gagnon et al., 2022).
Healthcare providers must conduct thorough patient assessments during initial patient intakes that include SDOH factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, housing stability, and access to resources, while utilizing standardized screening tools such as the PRAPARE (Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks, and Experiences) to help identify and understand patients’ social needs. Patient education should also be provided and tailored to patients’ backgrounds and literacy levels to empower them in managing their health. For example, the use of plain language, visual aids, materials in multiple languages, and teach-back methods can ensure patients understand their health conditions and treatment plans. Additionally, working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals, such as social workers, nutritionists, and mental health professionals, can help to create a holistic care plan for patients while addressing both medical and social needs (Gagnon et al., 2022).
As healthcare providers, establishing connections with community organizations and resources is of the utmost importance to assist patients facing social challenges. For instance, as DNP-prepared nurses, we can create a resource directory that includes local food banks, housing assistance, financial counseling, and transportation services, and refer patients to these resources as needed. Additionally, advocating for policies that address systemic barriers related to SDOH can help improve healthcare access for underserved populations. This can be implemented through community and nursing organizations’ engagement that support policy changes and health equity. As healthcare providers, we can also cultivate cultural competence among nursing staff to better understand and respond to the diverse backgrounds of patients through training on cultural sensitivity and the impact of SDOH on health outcomes. This will encourage nurses to approach each patient as an individual and consider their cultural context when providing care (Kreuter et al., 2021).
Employing these strategies can help address the barriers associated with social determinants of health, enhance patient care and outcomes, and contribute to reducing health disparities within communities.
Different Approaches Nurses Can Utilize Information to Support the Delivery of Equitable Care to All Patients.
Nurses have a crucial role in leveraging information technologies (IT) to support equitable care delivery to all patients. Several strategies that nurses can employ include the utilization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), patient portals, communication tools, telehealth services, and health informatics for Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) (Patterson et al., 2019).
EHRs allow for standardized documentation of patient information, including socioeconomic factors, health history, and social determinants of health (SDOH). Nurses can use EHRs to identify and track health disparities among different patient populations. For example, data analytics can help identify which groups are experiencing poorer outcomes and may require targeted interventions. Moreover, patient portals empower patients by providing access to their health information, lab results, and educational materials. Nurses can use secure messaging systems within patient portals to facilitate communication with patients, address their concerns, and provide health education, especially for patients who may have difficulty accessing care in person (Oruche & Zapolski, 2020).
Telehealth services are a strategy that increases accessibility and can lower barriers to healthcare for patients in remote or underserved communities. Nurses can utilize telehealth platforms to conduct assessments, follow-ups, and health education sessions. However, when providing telehealth services, nurses should be trained in cultural competence to ensure they are sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of their patients, adapting their communication styles to meet individual needs. Additionally, Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) tools can assist nurses in making evidence-based decisions regarding patient care, analyzing patient outcomes, and adjusting care processes based on real-time data, helping to ensure equitable healthcare delivery (Patterson et al., 2019).
The intersection of SDOH, HIT, and patient outcomes is complex but crucial for improving healthcare equity. By understanding and addressing the barriers posed by social determinants, healthcare providers can enhance the effectiveness of HIT and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
References
Chelak, K., & Chakole, S. (2023). The role of social determinants of health in promoting health equality: A narrative review.
Cureus, 15(1), e33425.
to an external site.
Gagnon, K., Ortiz-Siberón, Á., Patel, N. D., James, R., Hawk, M., Damian, A. J., Beidas, R. (2022). Identifying facilitators, barriers, and strategies to implement social determinants of health screening, referral, and follow-up in the US: A scoping review protocol.
JBI Evidence Synthesis, 20(6), 1568-1577.
to an external site.
Kreuter, M. W., Thompson, T., McQueen, A., Garg, R. (2021). Addressing social needs in health care settings: Evidence, challenges, and opportunities for public health.
Annual Review of Public Health, 42, 329-344.
to an external site.
Oruche, U. M., & Zapolski, T. C. B. (2020). The role of nurses in eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(12), 2-4.
to an external site.
Patterson, B. W., Pulia, M. S., Ravi, S., Hoonakker, P. L. T., Schoofs Hundt, A., Wiegmann, D., Wirkus, E. J., Johnson, S. (2019). Scope and influence of electronic health record-integrated clinical decision support in the emergency department: A systematic review.
Annals of Emergency Medicine, 74(2), 285-296.
to an external site.
Rangachari, P., & Thapa, A. (2025). Impact of hospital and health system initiatives to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in the United States: A scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature.
BMC Health Services Research, 25, 342.
to an external site.
