A toolkit to designed for healthcare professionals to promote social connection in their patients.
The EAR framework aims to help healthcare providers address social isolation and loneliness by:
Educating patients on the crucial impact social connection has on health
Assessing their risks for inadequate social connections
Responding with targeted interventions
The EAR Framework:
SYNC FOR SOCIAL NEEDS
The White House, alongside Epic Systems and the Department of Veterans Affairs, launched the Sync for Social Needs coalition to integrate social screening tools into EMR systems. Routine screening fosters social connection by addressing social determinants of health in clinical settings.
Epic Systems’ focus on Social Determinants of Health
Houston Methodist, through Epic Systems, integrates social prescribing by enabling community organizations to access patient data for more holistic care.
The EAR toolkit was adapted from the 2023 Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D. and Carla Perissinotto, M.D., M.H.S. article in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Addressing social isolation and loneliness does not detract from patient care— it IS patient care.”
Listening for change: the EAR Framework for addressing SIL in healthcare settings.
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If you're interested in integrating social screening tools or addressing social determinants of health within your healthcare system, we'd love to connect! For additional information, collaboration opportunities, or consulting inquiries, please contact us.