Study Aims to Quantify Social Needs of EMS Patients

While healthcare professionals recognize social determinants of health as essential to one’s overall health, the diverse problems that patients may experience have been largely left to primary care providers to address. However, many patients with the greatest social needs do not have access to primary care, preventing them from getting the interventions they need.

As a result, these patients are forced to rely on the emergency department, and often EMS, for their healthcare needs. For example, patients may call 9-1-1 in distress from chronic illness if they are unable to obtain their medications or because they are lonely, known as social isolation.

The Social Needs in the Pre-Hospital Setting (SNIPS) study from the Penn State College of Medicine seeks to assess the social needs EMS providers observe in their patients, how providers currently address these social needs, and what resources and training they desire to improve how they handle social needs. The study will also look at how factors such as provider age, number of years in EMS, experience with social needs, and burnout affect responses.

The ultimate goal of this study is to give EMS providers a voice in the design of new training programs and resources to help them address the social needs of their patients and reduce unnecessary 9-1-1 calls, transports, and “frequent flyers.”

Study Context

In the United States, ZIP codes are the best predictors of health status. This is a direct result of social determinants of health, which are the environmental conditions people live in that can affect their health and well-being.

Access to transportation, medical insurance, literacy levels, and more impact health status in countless ways. For example, a child who grows up in a neighborhood with severe air pollution will be at a higher risk of developing asthma compared to another child in a different neighborhood. Poor-quality schools may affect the ability to find a high-paying job later in life, which may continue the cycle of poverty. Limited access to grocery stores and healthy food lead to increased consumption of cheaper, more attainable junk food that amplifies the risk of obesity, diabetes, and long-term cardiovascular disease. Limited reliable transportation can make it difficult to hold a job, purchase food, see a doctor or pick up medications.

Little is known about the ability of EMS providers to recognize these social needs, how providers currently address them, and what training or resources providers need to help reduce unnecessary 9-1-1 calls and improve their patients’ health.

Study Goals

Researchers are looking for EMS personnel who work primarily in 9-1-1 response to take a five- to seven-minute online survey. Survey respondents will have the option to enter a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

Upon completion of data analysis, one or more papers will be produced, and findings will be shared with EMS leaders, major employers, policy organizations, and the EMS community at large. Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine hope the data will be used to inform development of EMS training and policy. This data will be especially relevant as EMS continues to evolve, with specific regard to programs such as Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport (ET3).

While this study will focus on responder preferences toward training and resources, future studies will be needed to evaluate the efficacy of any new programs implemented to reduce unnecessary 9-1-1 calls, better patient health, and improve EMS provider well-being.

EMS personnel interested in participating in this online survey can get started by clicking this link. For questions about the study, please contact Daniel Berger at dberger1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.