08/15/2023

Psychosocial Care in Oncology: The Impact of Social Determinants of Health

We know that social determinants of health (SDOH) play a significant role shaping the overall well-being of individuals. For individuals diagnosed with cancer, we recognize that these social determinants can profoundly impact their care journey, affecting everything from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. Studies show clinical care accounts for only 10% to 20% of health outcomes, while SDOH can impact as much as 80% to 90% of health-related outcomes. However, while the impact of SDOH on patients is becoming widely understood, we must acknowledge that these factors are impacting our own care teams as well. When SDOH hinders a patient’s access to care or critical resources that can facilitate better treatment outcomes, it is often frustrating and demoralizing for the entire care team. Compounded by workforce shortages, reimbursement struggles, and lack of resources, this can often be a formula for staff burnout. 

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