CAH Perspectives on Collection and Use of Demographic and Social Drivers of Health Data

Abstract

Demographic and social drivers of health (SDOH) data is important for individual and population health. To further explore the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) experience with collecting and using this data, this brief includes data from interviews with nine CAHs, in all four U.S. Census regions. When collecting data, CAHs faced challenges such as interviewee discomfort, difficulty offering patient resources, logistical or technical challenges, limited staff capacity, and other broad challenges. Despite these challenges, CAHs described being able to use the demographic and/or SDOH data in various ways: for individual patient needs, to assess community characteristics and needs, to assess health outcomes and utilization, to create and leverage partnerships, and to plan for expanding data collection. Staff training, involvement with community partnerships, and collaboration with State Flex Programs will facilitate the best and standard practices of demographic and/or SDOH data collection, as well as data usage for CAHs.

Topics

Health Equity MBQIP Social Drivers of Health