Don’t prescribe medications or recommend a management plan where there are financial and social barriers that might make the plan impractical for patients.

Understanding a patient’s perspective with a thorough social history will provide valuable information about their determinants of health, which is critical for nuanced diagnoses and a better adapted management plan. As barriers are identified and addressed management plans can be re-evaluated in collaboration with the patient.

 

For more information:

Canadian Medical Association. Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health: A Role for the Medical Profession. [Internet]. 2018.

Public Health Agency of Canada. Social determinants of health and health inequalities. [Internet]. 2019.

Senate of Canada. Population Health Policy: Issues and Options. [Internet]. 2008.