Social Determinants of Health Assessments for Family Nurse Practitioner Students
Overview
This teaching strategy provides an experiential learning opportunity for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students to use a validated Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) assessment tool to identify barriers to the health of vulnerable populations. This activity requires FNP students to engage vulnerable populations and determine focused priorities for health promotion based on the assessment results.
How to Use
FNP students, completing health promotion clinical hours, must identify patients to complete formal SDoH assessments using the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health-Related Social Needs screening tool. Students are required to complete SDoH assessments on six patients during their health promotion clinical course; however, this number can be tailored to suite any clinical course or program requirements. It is important to require more than four formal SDoH assessments during a short clinical time period as students reflected on gaining confidence in asking challenging questions with each assessment. Students are responsible for face-to-face administration of each assessment as well as analyzing the results. Students develop a plan of care with the patient to prioritize social needs that will positively impact their health promotion needs. Students also identify community partnerships that can assist in meeting the social needs identified.
Students complete a reflective writing assignment (example here) on this clinical activity, demonstrating their ability to address SDoH during patient care encounters while also providing insight as to how the experience impacted their understanding of SDoH, health equity, and how it will impact their future practice.
Integrative Learning Strategies
Faculty may use this activity with any FNP student completing health promotion and/or other role specific clinical hours. Students receive instruction on SDoH and validated assessment tools via their co-requisite didactic course.
Assessment Strategies
SDoH Assessment Assignment Rubric
Possible Courses
- Concepts and Application of Health Promotion for Advanced Practice Nursing, clinical portion
- Population Health, clinical portion
- Other role specific clinical courses for FNPs
Additional Resources/Publications
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Accountable Health Communities Model” from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2022). CMS.gov, 2022. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/ahcm
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “The Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool” from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2021). CMS.gov, 2021. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/files/worksheets/ahcm-screeningtool.pdf
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Social Determinants of Health” by Healthy People 2030 (2020). Health.gov, 2020. Accessed October 18, 2023. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health
Sub-competencies for advanced-level professional nursing education:
Domain 2
- 2.2g – Demonstrate advanced communication skills and techniques using a variety of modalities with diverse audiences.
- 2.2j – Facilitate difficult conversations and disclosure of sensitive information.
- 2.5i – Prioritize risk mitigation strategies to prevent or reduce adverse outcomes.
- 2.5j – Develop evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes and safety.
- 2.8i – Evaluate adequacy of resources available to support self-care management.
- 2.8j – Foster partnerships with community organizations to support self-care management.
Domain 3
- 3.1l – Use established or evolving methods to determine population-focused priorities for care.
- 3.1m – Develop a collaborative approach with relevant stakeholders to address population healthcare needs, including evaluation methods.
- 3.3e – Advocate for interventions that maximize cost-effective, accessible, and equitable resources for populations.
Domain 9
- 9.2j – Advocate for practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- 9.2l – Facilitate communication that promotes a participatory approach.
Posted: April 22, 2024
Submitted by:
Jodi Allen, DNP, FNP-C
Assistant Professor, FNP Concentration Coordinator
Purdue University Northwest, College of Nursing