Prevalence of Screening for Food Insecurity, Housing Instability, Utility Needs, Transportation Needs, and Interpersonal Violence by US Physician Practices and Hospitals [jamanetwork.com]

By Taressa K. Fraze, Amanda L. Brewster, Valerie A. Lewis, et al., JAMA Network Open, September 18, 2019

Question: What types of physician practices and hospitals self-report screening patients for food, housing, transportation, utilities, and interpersonal violence needs?

Findings: In a cross-sectional study of US hospitals and physician practices, approximately 24% of hospitals and 16% of physician practices reported screening for food insecurity, housing instability, utility needs, transportation needs, and interpersonal violence. Federally qualified health centers and physician practices participating in bundled payments, primary care improvement models, and Medicaid accountable care organizations screened more than other hospitals, and academic medical centers screened more than other practices.

Meaning: This study’s findings suggest that most US physician practices and hospitals do not report screening patients for key social needs, and it appears that practices serving more economically disadvantaged populations report screening at higher rates.

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