Keywords: Social Determinants of Health; Primary Health Care; Family Practice; General Practitioners; Nurses; Electronic Health Records

Background:

There is extensive evidence on the influence of social determinants of health (SDoH) on people's health and well-being. However, SDoH screening and recording are far from being widespread and consolidated in Primary Care (PC). Electronic health records (EHR) offer an opportunity to standardize the collection and integration of data about SDoH.

Research questions:

Are there differences in which SDoH are addressed at primary care across different European countries?
Are there differences between the screening and recording of SDoH during routine clinical practice by PC professionals?

Method:

Cross-sectional observational study using an online survey (available in Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, and English) with open and closed-ended questions. The study period runs from June 2025 to May 2026. PC professionals from European countries (Spain and Portugal), including nurses and medical doctors actively providing healthcare, will be recruited using the Snowball Technique. Collaboration will be offered to researchers via mailing lists and at international congresses (EGPRN). The estimated frequency of the primary objective is 46% according to previous studies. Required sample size is 425 professionals (95% confidence level, 5% margin of error, 10% estimated loss rate). Independent variables include sociodemographic and professional data. Dependent variables include SDoH assessed during clinical practice, such as illiteracy, unemployment, job instability, work schedule-related issues, occupational risk factors, inadequate housing, housing stability, loneliness, language and sociocultural challenges, social discrimination, and barriers to healthcare access. Additional variables include prioritization of SDoH, use of screening tools, systematic recording and standardized coding of SDoH, and identification of barriers to their screening. The study will be conducted in accordance with the applicable legal and ethical regulations of the respective country.

Results:

Data collection is currently ongoing and will continue until December 2026. Final results are not yet available. Preliminary findings will be presented at the EGPRN meeting in October, and participation will be offered to other countries.

Conclusions:

Points for discussion:

What are health professionals' opinions about SDoH influencing health?

Which barriers hinder the screening of SDoH in clinical practice?