The perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social needs of adult emergency department patients
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aim to assess the influence of COVID-19 on the social needs of emergency department (ED) patients, and assess patients’ access to social services.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 175 purposively sampled adult ED patients.
RESULTS: Approximately half of participants stated that COVID-19 negatively impacted their social needs with statistically significant differences observed for race, ethnicity, and insurance status. Many participants did not know of available social services, and a majority welcomed assistance from the ED.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests that unmet social needs have risen because of COVID-19, and EDs may be positioned to identify and assist affected patients.
Full citation:
Gallagher TH, Doran KM, Samuels EA, McCormack RP (2022). The perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social needs of adult emergency department patients
Health Equity, 6 (1), 610-615. doi: 10.1089/heq.2022.0015.