TY - JOUR
AU - A. M. Provenzano
AU - F. Syed
AU - J. E. Platt
AU - G. A. Piatt
AU - M. S. Ackerman
AU - A. Buyuktur
AU - M. S. Klinkman
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: With new payment systems to prompt more sophisticated data activities, primary care practices are developing technological capabilities to manage patient care and information. One burgeoning capability is the collection of social determinants of health (SDOH) data and using that information to provide social care. This study describes the information infrastructure and technological capabilities developed by community health centers (CHCs) and examines the factors influencing SDOH data integration and management in primary care practice. It offers health care leaders insights and strategies to build capacity for managing social care and quality. METHODS: An observational design was used to examine the technological capabilities of CHCs in Michigan via a practice survey, and factors related to developing information infrastructure were qualitatively explored. The practice survey, semi-structured interviews, and national health center data were analyzed. Sociotechnical systems and organizational theories were used to develop the survey and interview guide. A sample of Michigan CHCs (n = 15) was recruited for the study. The practice survey was administered to CHC leaders, clinicians, and staff (n = 27). Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were then conducted to explore infrastructural, organizational, and technological factors associated with managing social care and information. RESULTS: Michigan CHCs developed capabilities to exchange patient information with state and local partners. Data were typically shared with maternal and infant health (n = 5, 33.3%), mental health (n = 5, 33.3%), substance use (n = 6, 40%), domestic violence (n = 6, 40%), and food assistance (n = 6, 40%) providers, but CHCs did not develop the same capabilities with all social services examined. The interviews revealed that CHCs leveraged health care and government investments in information technology (IT) as a strategy to share data and address quality. The survey results revealed that CHCs developed the ability to use SDOH data to manage population health and provide value-based care. CONCLUSIONS: IT used to manage social care and address quality is necessary but insufficient in primary care settings. The technological capabilities developed to integrate SDOH data into practice and exchange health information support critical infrastructure and learning opportunities to improve care, quality, and outcomes.
AD - Department of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. ampro@umich.edu.; Michigan Primary Care Association, Lansing, MI, USA.; Department of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Information, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.; Department of Family Medicine, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
AN - 40346569
BT - BMC Health Serv Res
C5 - HIT & Telehealth; Healthcare Disparities
CP - 1
DA - May 9
DO - 10.1186/s12913-025-12821-7
DP - NLM
ET - 20250509
IS - 1
JF - BMC Health Serv Res
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: With new payment systems to prompt more sophisticated data activities, primary care practices are developing technological capabilities to manage patient care and information. One burgeoning capability is the collection of social determinants of health (SDOH) data and using that information to provide social care. This study describes the information infrastructure and technological capabilities developed by community health centers (CHCs) and examines the factors influencing SDOH data integration and management in primary care practice. It offers health care leaders insights and strategies to build capacity for managing social care and quality. METHODS: An observational design was used to examine the technological capabilities of CHCs in Michigan via a practice survey, and factors related to developing information infrastructure were qualitatively explored. The practice survey, semi-structured interviews, and national health center data were analyzed. Sociotechnical systems and organizational theories were used to develop the survey and interview guide. A sample of Michigan CHCs (n = 15) was recruited for the study. The practice survey was administered to CHC leaders, clinicians, and staff (n = 27). Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were then conducted to explore infrastructural, organizational, and technological factors associated with managing social care and information. RESULTS: Michigan CHCs developed capabilities to exchange patient information with state and local partners. Data were typically shared with maternal and infant health (n = 5, 33.3%), mental health (n = 5, 33.3%), substance use (n = 6, 40%), domestic violence (n = 6, 40%), and food assistance (n = 6, 40%) providers, but CHCs did not develop the same capabilities with all social services examined. The interviews revealed that CHCs leveraged health care and government investments in information technology (IT) as a strategy to share data and address quality. The survey results revealed that CHCs developed the ability to use SDOH data to manage population health and provide value-based care. CONCLUSIONS: IT used to manage social care and address quality is necessary but insufficient in primary care settings. The technological capabilities developed to integrate SDOH data into practice and exchange health information support critical infrastructure and learning opportunities to improve care, quality, and outcomes.
PY - 2025
SN - 1472-6963
SP - 666
ST - The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings
T1 - The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings
T2 - BMC Health Serv Res
TI - The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings
U1 - HIT & Telehealth; Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1186/s12913-025-12821-7
VL - 25
VO - 1472-6963
Y1 - 2025
ER -