How to Get Hospital Staff Buy-In for SDOH Screening: Building Engagement Beyond Education
Introduction
Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) screening is critical for improving patient outcomes, yet many hospitals face challenges in securing staff buy-in for this new process. Overwhelmed by staffing shortages, duplicative workflows, and moral injury, healthcare professionals often feel frustrated and disengaged. To move forward, hospital leaders must shift from education-based approaches to ongoing, meaningful conversations. Here’s how to foster engagement and create a culture of shared purpose around SDOH screening.
Understanding the Barriers to Staff Buy-In
Hospital teams often face significant obstacles when asked to implement SDOH screening:
Awareness Gap: Some staff don’t fully understand the connection between SDOH and health outcomes.
Workload Concerns: Overworked teams may resist additional tasks, especially if they seem redundant.
Role Uncertainty: Nurses and other clinicians often question their ability to address non-medical factors like housing or food insecurity.
Moral Injury: Repeatedly hearing patients’ struggles without the resources to help can lead to frustration and burnout.
Despite these challenges, many healthcare professionals express a desire to help their patients beyond clinical care. By tapping into this intrinsic motivation, hospital leaders can cultivate genuine buy-in.
5 Steps to Build Staff Buy-In for SDOH Screening
1. Share the Purpose Behind Screening
Start with the “why.” Many staff members may not realize how SDOH impacts patient care. Use stories from your hospital to illustrate the difference these conversations can make:
Did a patient’s diabetes care improve because you helped them access affordable utilities?
Was a discharged patient safer thanks to a referral to a local shelter?
Sharing these real-world examples fosters understanding and inspiration.
2. Map Out the Screening Process
Transparency builds trust. Show staff how their efforts fit into a larger, coordinated plan:
Who receives the screening data?
How are patients supported after screening?
What role does each team member play in the process?
For example, a nurse might feel empowered knowing their documentation triggers a social worker’s intervention, ensuring patients receive needed support.
3. Encourage Team Discussions
Create a feedback loop to refine and improve your screening process:
Are screenings conducted at the right time during patient care?
Do staff have enough time for meaningful conversations with patients?
How can workflows be adjusted to reduce frustration?
When staff feel heard and involved, they’re more likely to engage fully.
4. Highlight Success Stories
Celebrate wins, big and small, to show the tangible impact of SDOH screening:
Did your hospital distribute dozens of food bags to discharged patients?
Did your screening data help start a community conversation about affordable housing?
Sharing these stories motivates staff and demonstrates the broader value of their work.
5. Keep the Conversation Going
Building buy-in is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. Regularly engage staff to:
Discuss challenges and identify solutions.
Explore opportunities for collaboration with community partners.
Brainstorm ways to address unmet needs and improve outcomes.
Example: If a social worker is overwhelmed, consider redistributing tasks or collaborating with local nonprofits to lighten the load.
Fostering a Culture of Collaboration
SDOH screening shouldn’t feel like another checkbox on an overburdened workflow. By engaging staff in collaborative discussions, hospitals can shift the focus from data collection to patient impact. This approach not only strengthens team morale but also enhances the quality of care delivered.
Join the Conversation
At Convergence, we specialize in helping hospitals and healthcare systems address SDOH challenges through collaboration and innovation. Explore our resources to get started:
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Let’s work together to accelerate improvement in healthcare.
About Convergence
Convergence empowers hospitals and healthcare systems to address patients’ SDOH needs through innovative strategies and scalable solutions. Visit us at Convergence Health to learn more.