Tag Archives: psychosocial needs

The Value of an intellectual vs Emotional Approach to the Root Causes of Health Inequities

As we focus on improving the care for all, with a lens toward health equity, it’s essential to examine the root causes of health inequities and their existence. And Racism is a contributing factor that has led to our present situation. To progress, we need to have an understanding and commonality of definitions. Referencing a recent article by… Read More »

The Physician’s Role in Addressing Social Determinants of Health

As a physician, I was taught to diagnose and treat. Sure, I knew your social situation outside of my office played a role in your overall wellbeing, but it really was not in my differential diagnosis. Undeniably, I did what I could to help with those situations, but only within the context of increasing the ability of the… Read More »

Promoting Transparency for our Consumers

With the first month of the New Year nearly behind us, and new transparency regulations becoming law, Healthcare faces increasing challenges when it comes to consumerism. Using such a framework is appropriate as the persons to whom we provide services of our “goods” do “consume” them; however, compared to consumers of other types of products it is not… Read More »

Cognitive Assessments Can Help Identify Needed Care

As we age, cognitive impairment becomes more likely. Simultaneously, our natural living conditions increase isolation and distance from support networks, including mitigating treatments that can negatively impact mental stability. Unless we deliberately and diligently assess those we serve, we have no awareness of such needs. Although cognitive decline tends to occur insidiously, repetitive assessments are still necessary. With… Read More »

Why is Screening for Social Determinants Difficult?

In the present age of healthcare, we understand that social determinants play a critical role in health and wellness, as well as influencing our ability to treat illnesses. Those who identify with issues such as food insecurity, intimate partner violence, availability or quality of housing, and the ability to pay for necessities such as utilities like heat and… Read More »

Why Physicians Need a Voice in Public Health Issues

When discussing the health and wellbeing of those we serve, we must elevate the conversation to include public health matters that affect our patients and society in its entirety. Physician organizations are instrumental in formulating recommendations and supporting health-related social justice. However, these discussions are equally imperative at the individual level, as physician interactions with their patients become… Read More »

Understanding Physician Burnout

Physician burnout is an ongoing discussion in healthcare. Characterized by emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, burnout is a syndrome, accompanied by a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment, loss of work fulfillment, and reduced effectiveness. Since physicians are so integral to the healthcare system, the effects of their fatigue have a global impact often leading to potential losses in productivity,… Read More »

The combination of physical limitations and chronic conditions is costly

As we move to value-based care models, where we place our focus becomes very important. With limited resources both in dollars and human capital, knowing where to spend our energy is dependent on knowing information driven by data. Sometimes dictum is driven more from thought than fact. We focus a great deal on those with multiple chronic diseases,… Read More »