IOM names 17 social factors to collect in EHRs

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has identified 17 social and behavioral areas that should be addressed in all electronic health records (EHR) of patients to improve outcomes and advance public health research efforts. The IOM compiled the list as a guide for officials who are developing criteria for Stage 3 of the meaningful use program for EHRs, slated to begin in 2017.

The candidate domains are alcohol use, area socioeconomic and racial/ethnic characteristics, country of origin, dietary patterns, education, employment, exposure to violence, financial resources strain (food and housing insecurity), health literacy, negative mood and affect, nicotine use and exposure, physical activity, psychological assets (patient engagement, conscientiousness, optimism, and self-efficacy), race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, social connections and social isolation, and stress. The IOM is planning a follow-up report to narrow down the current list and to recommend specific measures for each of the domains.

Source: The Oncology Report