Comparison of Resident and Faculty Screening for Social Determinants of Health in an Academic Pediatric Primary Care Practice

Background: Social determinants of health (SDH) have an important role in children's health and development and should be investigated in pediatric well child care.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of children aged 5-17 at well visits at an urban academic pediatric primary care practice was performed. Chi-square tests of independence and z-test for proportions were used to assess differences between residents and faculty SDH screening. Results: Faculty screened for SDH more frequently than residents (P<0.05). Residents screened less frequently for food insecurity (P<0.05) and financial insecurity (P<0.05). Financial insecurity was endorsed less frequently by resident families (P<0.05), while school absence was endorsed more frequently by resident families (P<0.05). Referrals to the clinic's community resource desk did not differ between residents and faculty.

Conclusions: Differences exist in screening and need between clinician groups. Despite these differences, there was no difference in community resource desk referrals.