Empowering Clinicians: How the CARD Initiative Transforms Care Through Social Determinants of Health

Some of the biggest factors affecting health are related to our living conditions and social life, such as housing, access to food, income, and even immigration status. These factors can seriously hinder the effectiveness of medical treatments, especially in communities that lack resources. This issue can be frustrating for healthcare providers who want the best for their patients.

To tackle this challenge, clinicians at Wayne State University in Detroit kicked off the Community Aid and Resource Distribution (CARD) initiative. This program aims to help healthcare providers understand and address the social needs of their patients. Mindy Hoang, a first-year resident at Wayne State, shared insights about CARD at the American College of Physicians’ Internal Medicine Meeting in New Orleans.

Why CARD Matters

According to Hoang, the CARD initiative emerged from a feeling of overwhelm among residents. They encountered many patients with pressing social needs, but without adequate resources to help them. “Nobody prepares you for how many social needs your patients will have,” Hoang explained. She noted that about one-third of patient visits focus on these social issues.

For example, a patient’s asthma may persist because they live in a mold-infested home. Or someone may struggle to secure stable housing due to financial constraints. The frustration resonated with many residents, so they created a resource booklet. This makes it simple for doctors to direct patients towards available assistance.

This initiative isn’t a complete solution, but it provides immediate help, especially in clinics with fewer social resources. Over three years, CARD has proven effective, yet challenges remain. A key issue is ensuring that busy residents know about and utilize the program.

New initiatives are in place, such as making CARD a part of early training for incoming interns. This way, everyone can learn about the available resources right away. Lanyards with QR codes and pamphlets are also made available to both patients and staff to keep the CARD initiative top-of-mind.

Could Other Centers Benefit?

Hoang believes that structured programs like CARD can be valuable for clinics in low-resource areas. They regularly update the resource information to ensure it remains current and helpful. This setup is not only accessible but also simple for other clinicians to implement.

Wayne State has partnered with the School of Social Work, but even clinics that lack formal partnerships can find local health resources. They are also exploring integrating community health workers to better assess and address patients’ social needs, which can help reduce clinician burnout.

Focus on Health Equity

In addition to CARD, Wayne State is also addressing cases related to health equity. Such cases often involve patients facing complex social issues. Hoang described a recent example: a child with type 1 diabetes who was undocumented and unable to access necessary insulin. The team worked out a temporary solution involving emergency room visits to provide insulin.

Advice for Clinicians

For healthcare providers who may not frequently encounter social determinants of health, Hoang suggests starting with local community centers. Asking what resources are available for people facing crises can help clinicians better understand their patients’ needs.

It’s essential for providers to engage with those outside the medical realm, including community leaders and local residents. After all, only about 30% of health is determined in clinical settings. The influence of social factors is significant and must be acknowledged.

Hoang emphasizes the need for a team approach to addressing social health determinants. Collaborative care plans involving various professionals are crucial for achieving the best outcomes for patients.

By focusing on social needs, healthcare providers can take significant steps toward improving overall community health and promoting better patient outcomes.

For further details on social determinants of health, you may refer to the World Health Organization.

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