Social vital signs for improving awareness about social determinants of health

Abstract

We, Team SAIL, have held sessions introducing social vital signs (SVS). SVS is a useful tool for evaluating patient’s social determinants of health (SDH).

The impact of patients' social backgrounds assessment on nursing care: Qualitative research

“…In 2019, two nurses who had been utilizing a tool‐based methodology for patients' social backgrounds were appointed as head nurses in a ward and an outpatient office, and the tool‐based program was initiated. This tool‐based approach, referred to as “Social Vital Signs (SVS),” is defined by in‐depth social background interviews and visual presentation of patient information that promotes a team‐based and multidisciplinary approach 19,20 . This methodology has the potential to improve the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and comprehension of patients, especially in challenging patient encounters 21 .…”

“…This tool-based approach, referred to as "Social Vital Signs (SVS)," is defined by in-depth social background interviews and visual presentation of patient information that promotes a team-based and multidisciplinary approach. 19,20 This methodology has the potential to improve the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and comprehension of patients, especially in challenging patient encounters. 21 In the outpatient settings, an inpatient survey form (see Table 1) was utilized to gather information and document it in the electronic medical record for staff accessibility, with survey-based conferences held as necessary.…”

Experience of residents learning about social determinants of health and an assessment tool: Mixed‐methods research

“…To achieve this objective, we needed to provide a specific clinical tool, ‘social vital signs’ (SVS), that would enable the residents to assess patients' social conditions and develop interventions. This sheds light on the importance of always asking about and assessing patients' social conditions 12,13 . To assess complex information about SVS and share it with other professionals, professionals often use a matrix sheet to record each social factor to ask (see File 1 in Appendix S1).…”

“…This sheds light on the importance of always asking about and assessing patients' social conditions. 12,13 To assess complex information about SVS and share it with other professionals, professionals often use a matrix sheet to record each social factor to ask (see File 1 in Appendix S1).…”

A report of the Social Vital Signs Workshop at WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2019

“…The SVS framework has been broadly accepted as a useful tool to address SDH by participants and has been implemented in their practices. 4 In June 2019, we held the workshop at WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference entitled "The 'social vital signs' mnemonic to improve awareness about determinants of health" (Figure 1).…”