THE INTERSECTION OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH ON HIT AND

PATIENT OUTCOMES

 

Health literacy is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as, “the cognitive and social

skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand,

and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health” (n.d.). The American

Medical Association (AMA) defines health literacy as, “a constellation of skills, including the

ability to perform basic reading and numerical tasks required to function in the health care

environment” (Baker, 2006). These definitions highlight the importance of health literacy for

both healthcare workers and patients.

Whether it is the ability to fully analyze and interpret a researched study, or to speak to patients

in a way that gains their trust and develops their understanding, health literacy directly relates to

patient care.

However, understanding the importance of health literacy does not directly correlate to effective

health literacy, so how does health literacy impact patient outcomes? What barriers or social

determinants might impact health literacy?

For this Discussion, reflect on your understanding of health literacy, health information

technology, and health economics. Consider the impact of each of these topics and explore how

they are related to patient care. You will also recommend strategies to overcome potential

barriers as they relate to the topics.

References:

Baker, D. W. (2006). The meaning and measure of health literacy. Journal of General Internal

Medicine, 21(8), 878–883. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00540.x

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Health promotion. https://www.who.int/teams/health-

promotion/enhanced-wellbeing/seventh-global-conference/health-

literacy#:~:text=Health%20Literacy%20has%20been%20defined,promote%20and%20maintain

%20good%20health

TO PREPARE

 Review the Learning Resources associated with the topics: Health Literacy, Health

Information Technology (HIT) on Patient Outcomes, and Health Economics.

 Consider the role of each of these topics in influencing how healthcare is delivered

and practiced in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. 

 Reflect on how COVID-19 might have impacted each of these topics, including

potential barriers or challenges for future implementation.

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 8

 

Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

 Explain how Health Literacy, HIT on Patient Outcomes, and Health Economics

may be integrated into and impact clinical practice for your healthcare

organization or nursing practice. Be specific and provide examples.

 Describe your understanding of the concept of health literacy. Why is it

important to understand implications for the lack of health literacy for nursing

practice?

 Discuss and evaluate how COVID-19 may have impacted each of these topics for

healthcare delivery and nursing practice. Be specific.

 Recommend at least two strategies you might implement for overcoming

challenges/barriers related to these topics in your healthcare organization or

nursing practice.

 

Resources

 

 Sipes, C. (2020). Project management for the advanced practice nurse (2nd ed.).

Springer Publishing.

o Chapter 5, “Implementation/Execution—Phase 3” (pp. 121–146)

o Chapter 6, “Monitoring and Controlling: Project

Management—Phase 4”

(pp. 147–168)

 

 American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informaticsLinks to an external

site.: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.).

o “Standard 5: Implementation” (pp. 73–74)

o “Standard 5a: Coordination of Activities” (p. 75)

o “Standard 6: Evaluation” (p. 78)

o “Standard 11: Communication” (p. 86)

o “Standard 12: Leadership” (pp. 87–88)

o “Standard 15: Resource Utilization” (p. 92)

 

 The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.

(n.d.). Health IT: Advancing America’s health careLinks to an external site..

https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/health-information-

technology-fact-sheet.pdf

 

Social Determinants

 Palakshappa, D., Scheerer, M., Semelka, C. T., & Foley, K. L. (2020). Screening for

social determinants of health in free and charitable clinics in North

CarolinaLinks to an external site.. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and

Underserved, 31(1), 382–397. doi:10.1353/hpu.2020.0029

 Links to an external site.Shah, G. H., Shankar, P., Schwind, J. S., & Sittaramane, V.

(2020). The detrimental impact of the COVID-19 crisis on health equity and

social determinants of healthLinks to an external site.. Journal of Public Health

 

Management and Practice, 26(4), 317–319.

doi:10.1097/PHH.0000000000001200

 Sharma, S. V., Chuang, R. J., Rushing, M., Naylor, B., Ranjit, N., Pomeroy, M., &

Markham, C. (2020). Social determinants of health–related needs during

COVID-19 among low-income households with childrenLinks to an external

site.. Preventing Chronic Disease, 17, 200–322. doi:10.5888/pcd17.200322

 Yao, R. (2019). The future of consumer healthcareLinks to an external site..

https://medium.com/ipg-media-lab/the-future-of-consumer-healthcare-

71ff82d6ee25

HIT on Patient Outcomes

 HealthIT.gov. (2019). Improved diagnostics & patient outcomesLinks to an

external site.. https://www.healthit.gov/topic/health-it-and-health-

information-exchange-basics/improved-diagnostics-patient-outcomes

 

Health Economics

 Hammeken, L. H., Baunwall, S. M. D., Hvas, C. L., & Ehlers, L. H. (2021). Health

economic evaluations comparing faecal microbiota transplantation with

antibiotics for treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection: A

systematic reviewLinks to an external site.. Health Economics Review, 11(3).

doi:10.1186/s13561-021-00301-7

 Links to an external site.Seixas, B. V., Dionne, F., & Mitton, C. (2021). Practices

of decision making in priority setting and resource allocation: A scoping review

and narrative synthesis of existing frameworksLinks to an external site.. Health

Economics Review, 11(2). doi:10.1186/s13561-020-00300-0

 Links to an external site.Xu, X., Lazar, C. M., & Ruger, J. P. (2021). Micro-costing

in health and medicine: A critical appraisalLinks to an external site.. Health

Economics Review, 11(1). doi:10.1186/s13561-020-00298-5

 

Required Media

 Let’s Learn Public Health. (2017, June 25). Social determinants of health – an

introductionLinks to an external site. [Video]. YouTube.

 

Other resources

 Brenner, S. K., Kaushal, R., Grinspan, Z., Joyce, C., Kim, I., Allard, R. J., Delgado,

D., & Abramson, E. L. (2016). Effects of health information technology on

patient outcomes: A systematic reviewLinks to an external site.. Journal of the

American Medical Informatics Association, 23(5), 1016–1036.