Majority of Physicians Cite Poor Health Outcomes Due To Lack of Social Supports

More than eight in ten primary care physicians and pediatricians say their patients’ unmet social needs are directly leading to poorer health status. If the health care system did a better job of addressing patients’ unmet social needs, physicians believe that the health status of 38% of patients would improve, and 80% of physicians believe patients would have fewer health issues if the health care system covered basic social needs determined by a health care professional as affecting patient health.

Only 20% of physicians feel confident in their ability to address patients’ unmet social needs. About three . . .