Information Technology in Screening and Identifying Unmet Social Needs: A Scoping Review

2024 · doi:10.1101/2024.10.18.24315603
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This scoping review identified limited but evolving uses of information technology, such as surveys and portals, to screen for unmet social needs in vulnerable populations, with mixed effectiveness and integration challenges.

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This scoping review examined how information technology is used to screen for and identify unmet social needs among vulnerable populations and how these approaches affect the assessment process. Using PRISMA-ScR, the authors searched multiple databases for studies from 2010 to 2023 and identified 13 studies employing tools such as self-assessment surveys, tablet-based systems, and electronic portals, including applications among refugees and emergency department patients. The review found a limited but evolving set of technological approaches (e.g., chatbots and multidimensional risk appraisal systems for older adults), with mixed effectiveness and major limitations including single-site studies, small samples, and integration issues with medical records. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

Background Social determinants of health (SDOH) affect health outcomes, with unmet social needs like food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of services contributing to poor outcomes, health disparities, and higher healthcare costs. Identifying these needs is vital for improving health and achieving equity. Information technology has emerged as a tool for screening and identifying unmet social needs. Objectives This scoping review examines how information technology is used to screen and identify unmet social needs among vulnerable populations and its impact on the assessment process. Methods Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ACM Digital Library, and Web of Science for studies published from 2010 to 2023. Eligible studies used technology to screen for and identify unmet social needs in populations with health and socioeconomic challenges. Data extraction focused on the types of technology, screening processes, and social needs identified. Results Our findings highlight a limited yet evolving landscape of technological applications. We identified 13 studies using tools like self-assessment surveys, tablet-based systems, and electronic portals. These tools were applied across diverse groups, such as refugees and patients in emergency departments. Innovative approaches, such as chatbots and multi-dimensional risk appraisal systems for older adults, showed potential. However, challenges included single-site studies, small samples, and integration issues with medical records. Effectiveness varied. The effectiveness of these tools in screening for unmet social needs shows mixed outcomes. Conclusions Information technology plays a pivotal role in improving the identification of unmet social needs. The findings underscore the need for broader, more integrated research to fully understand the impact of technology-based assessments and screening processes for social needs. Future efforts should focus on facilitated screening using technology both within and outside of the visit, ensuring the linkage to appropriate resources and care.
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Abstract

Background Social determinants of health (SDOH) affect health outcomes, with unmet social needs like food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of services contributing to poor outcomes, health disparities, and higher healthcare costs. Identifying these needs is vital for improving health and achieving equity. Information technology has emerged as a tool for screening and identifying unmet social needs.

Objectives

This scoping review examines how information technology is used to screen and identify unmet social needs among vulnerable populations and its impact on the assessment process.

Methods

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ACM Digital Library, and Web of Science for studies published from 2010 to 2023. Eligible studies used technology to screen for and identify unmet social needs in populations with health and socioeconomic challenges. Data extraction focused on the types of technology, screening processes, and social needs identified.

Results

Our findings highlight a limited yet evolving landscape of technological applications. We identified 13 studies using tools like self-assessment surveys, tablet-based systems, and electronic portals. These tools were applied across diverse groups, such as refugees and patients in emergency departments. Innovative approaches, such as chatbots and multi-dimensional risk appraisal systems for older adults, showed potential. However, challenges included single-site studies, small samples, and integration issues with medical records. Effectiveness varied. The effectiveness of these tools in screening for unmet social needs shows mixed outcomes.

Conclusions

Information technology plays a pivotal role in improving the identification of unmet social needs. The findings underscore the need for broader, more integrated research to fully understand the impact of technology-based assessments and screening processes for social needs. Future efforts should focus on facilitated screening using technology both within and outside of the visit, ensuring the linkage to appropriate resources and care. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement None Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data availability The data used in this article are available in the supplementary material.

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