It is hard to believe it has been over a year since
AHIMA
began its journey to launch Data for Better Health?. In that time, we have designed tools, resources, and education for health information professionals, thought leaders, policymakers, and the public that supports a better understanding of the importance of SDOH data and how it can be used to improve peoples’ health and quality of life.
As we have done that, we’ve learned so much from healthcare leaders from across the country, and I want ?to share some of those lessons with you:
- There is no one standardized way to take on SDOH data. There are many ways to collect, use, and share SDOH data. But even though the organizations we work with have different approaches, they are committed to using the resources and data available to support patients and communities.
- Resources are needed on the ground to be effective. Leaders at all levels need to dedicate resources (e.g. funding, time, and people) to these efforts. Guidance and strategy at the organization level, facilitation of dialogue among teams, and embracing a culture that supports learning are key to success.
- Partnership – both internal and external – is critical. No one person, department, or organization, can or should do this work alone. Organizations have shared tips that allow them to build successful partnerships, including joint goal setting, transparency, sharing of resources and ideas, and a combined effort to help others understand how this work impacts patients.
- ?Trust is a driving force. Without trust, this work is not possible – trust between leaders, partners, and most importantly, between patients and the care teams collecting SDOH data. We have learned from those on the ground and experts focused on building trust. We now know that building trust involves understanding what causes distrust or mistrust, educating patients about why these questions are being asked, sharing how the data will be used, and accepting if patients do not want to provide SDOH information.
In addition to these lessons, we have seen firsthand how hard this work is to do. It requires significant learning and change management. But we can do hard things, we do them every day in healthcare. Our team at AHIMA is ready to lead this change at the national level as our members take action within their own organizations.
Learn more about Data for Better Health in our latest Issue Brief at: https://ahima.org/media/0krloglv/d4bh-issuebrief_final.pdf
Access resources and materials to help you drive SDOH collection, use, and sharing at www.dataforbetterhealth.org.
