Going Upstream: A Social Determinants of Health Training Manual

Abstract

The healthcare industry has sought to improve health outcomes by looking beyond the walls of the medical office and addressing social determinants of health (Stone, 2019). If health care is going to produce better outcomes, it will need to integrate interventions in all areas of care, including medical, behavioral, and SDOH. Examples of SDOH are where people are born, go to school, work, and age. Although research has confirmed the need to address unmet SDOH needs, limited training exists to prepare social work and nursing professionals. Ecological systems theory informed this research and training manual. This theory states that human development is influenced by different systems with which people interact, including close family and relationships, and extends to more extensive social relationships and institutions. (Sincero, 2012). The SDOH Training Manual was developed as an innovative training for the helping professions. It is hypothesized that this training will increase understanding of SDOH and effectively connect clients to community resources. Community stakeholders were engaged in the development and testing of the training manual. Dissemination efforts will include ongoing assessments to determine the effectiveness of the knowledge gained.