Community-Specific Video Training for Primary Care Settings: Increasing Capacity and Motivation to Address Food Insecurity.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity (FI) is the most common health-related social need (HRSN) and is frequently identified in primary care through screening and referral. However, health care workers often do not have the knowledge, motivation, capability, or opportunity necessary to discuss FI with patients in patient-centered ways. METHODS: An educational module for health care workers on FI was created using user-centered design and tested with health care workers, using the COM-B model as an evaluation framework. RESULTS: Watching the module's video increased participant knowledge, capability, and motivation to address FI with patients. DISCUSSION: This preliminary pilot study suggests that simple training modules could help with the effectiveness of efforts to address HRSNs, such as FI, by increasing health care workers' capacity to discuss, screen, and refer patients. Findings warrant expanded studies to assess the effectiveness of such modules on patient-level outcomes. CONCLUSION: This type of educational module on FI or other HRSNs holds promise as a time- and cost-efficient strategy for improving screening and referral processes, ultimately alleviating FI for more patients and improving health outcomes.

Multistakeholder Perspectives on Data Sharing to Address Patient Food Insecurity.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDOH) influence health outcomes. Food insecurity (FI) is the most common need related to SDOH. Many primary care practices and health systems have begun to screen for FI and refer patients to resources. How this process is viewed by multiple stakeholders, including patients, health care workers, and staff at food assistance organizations (FAOs), will influence its impact. METHODS: In this mixed-methods study, we completed 42 interviews with individuals from the 3 stakeholder groups. We then conducted a survey with 126 respondents using questions developed from the qualitative results. RESULTS: All stakeholders recognized the impact FI has on health outcomes, but perspectives varied on the value of sharing information through referrals to FAOs and concerning receipt of services, including privacy concerns and that the process would require significant work and not necessarily improve FI. DISCUSSION: Stakeholders agree that FI impacts health but have differences in perceptions around screening and referral done in health care settings. Perspectives of multiple stakeholders need to be considered when designing these systems. CONCLUSION: Successfully designing systems to address FI through referral to FAOs requires input of multiple stakeholders because perspectives on the value and work required for this process vary.