Informatics Resources for Social Determinants of Health in School-based Health Centers

Abstract

This doctoral research focuses on how school-based health providers collect and use data related to social determinants of health, particularly in the context of asthma management. School-based health centers are crucial for delivering health services to children, yet there is a gap in consistent social risk data collection and use. The goal of the research was to understand school-based health providers' information-gathering behaviors and develop a user-centered informatics resource to help with social risk factor screening and assessment. This dissertation provides insights on how providers assess for and address social determinants of health in relation to asthma exacerbations in schools. The research identifies key challenges and gaps in using social determinants of health and social risk data, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive and accessible data at the point of care. A key finding from the research is the positive feedback on an informatics resource designed to help providers manage and interpret social determinants of health data. Participants expressed a need for clear, actionable data, such as GIS-based visualizations and connections to community resources. Further testing of this resource will engage diverse groups of stakeholders, including school nurses and social workers, and evaluate its usefulness in different settings and geographic areas. This dissertation contributes to nursing science by highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches to address social needs with the goal of improving quality of life for children with asthma. By integrating social risk factors into clinical workflows and promoting shared decision-making, the research aims to contribute to the research and policy to reduce health disparities and improve patient health and educational outcomes.