The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings
Abstract 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...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12821-7 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849728355952230400 |
|---|---|
| author | Anthony M. Provenzano Faiyaz Syed Jodyn E. Platt Gretchen A. Piatt Mark S. Ackerman Ayse Buyuktur Michael S. Klinkman |
| author_facet | Anthony M. Provenzano Faiyaz Syed Jodyn E. Platt Gretchen A. Piatt Mark S. Ackerman Ayse Buyuktur Michael S. Klinkman |
| author_sort | Anthony M. Provenzano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0449653e9715499a8bb80998de596c4a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-0449653e9715499a8bb80998de596c4a2025-08-20T03:09:34ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-05-0125111210.1186/s12913-025-12821-7The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settingsAnthony M. Provenzano0Faiyaz Syed1Jodyn E. Platt2Gretchen A. Piatt3Mark S. Ackerman4Ayse Buyuktur5Michael S. Klinkman6Department of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of MichiganMichigan Primary Care AssociationDepartment of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of MichiganDepartment of Learning Health Sciences, Medical School, University of MichiganDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Information, University of MichiganMichigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of MichiganDepartment of Family Medicine, Medical School, University of MichiganAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12821-7Primary careInformation technologySocial determinants of healthTechnological capabilitiesSocial careQuality improvement |
| spellingShingle | Anthony M. Provenzano Faiyaz Syed Jodyn E. Platt Gretchen A. Piatt Mark S. Ackerman Ayse Buyuktur Michael S. Klinkman The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings BMC Health Services Research Primary care Information technology Social determinants of health Technological capabilities Social care Quality improvement |
| title | The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| title_full | The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| title_fullStr | The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| title_full_unstemmed | The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| title_short | The development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| title_sort | development of information infrastructure and technological capabilities used to manage social care and address quality in primary care settings |
| topic | Primary care Information technology Social determinants of health Technological capabilities Social care Quality improvement |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12821-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anthonymprovenzano thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT faiyazsyed thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT jodyneplatt thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT gretchenapiatt thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT marksackerman thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT aysebuyuktur thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT michaelsklinkman thedevelopmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT anthonymprovenzano developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT faiyazsyed developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT jodyneplatt developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT gretchenapiatt developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT marksackerman developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT aysebuyuktur developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings AT michaelsklinkman developmentofinformationinfrastructureandtechnologicalcapabilitiesusedtomanagesocialcareandaddressqualityinprimarycaresettings |