How should social determinants of health be screened and acted upon in case management?

• A. Use validated screens, document results, refer to social work/resources, and track follow-through and outcomes.
• B. Screen only if there is a complaint; do not document; avoid referrals; do not monitor outcomes.
• C. Screen with non-validated tools; ignore results.
• D. Focus on medical factors only; social determinants are not assessed.

Answer: (A)

Screening for social determinants of health should be integrated into case management using validated instruments, with careful documentation, appropriate referrals, and ongoing follow-up to monitor outcomes. Validated screens help reliably identify needs such as housing stability, food security, transportation, and financial strain, ensuring you’re not missing barriers that affect health and treatment adherence. Documenting results creates a clear record for care coordination and accountability, so team members know what was found and what actions were taken. Referring to social workers or community resources connects clients to supports that address root causes, not just symptoms. Tracking follow-through and outcomes closes the loop, showing whether referrals led to resources secured and whether health or social outcomes improved, informing future care planning.

Screening only when there’s a complaint, skipping documentation, avoiding referrals, and not monitoring outcomes miss critical needs and undermine coordinated care. Using non-validated tools or ignoring results yields unreliable information and erodes trust, while focusing only on medical factors leaves social determinants unaddressed, limiting improvements in health.