Opinion
Video
Ensuring Equitable Patient Care in DME: Unconscious Bias Training and SDOH Screening
Amy Nguyen Howell, MD, MBA, outlines vital practices for educating diverse patients on diabetic macular edema and its management while highlighting the need for unconscious bias training and social determinants of health screening.
This is a video synopsis/summary of an Insights involving Amy Nguyen Howell, MD, MBA.
Howell discusses best practices for educating patients from diverse backgrounds about diabetic macular edema (DME) and its management. Howell emphasizes 2 key practices implemented in her organization. Firstly, providing unconscious bias training is crucial for all staff, including front line, back office, and administrative staff. Acknowledging that everyone has biases, the training aims to raise awareness and guide staff on mitigating biases to ensure optimal patient care.
Secondly, Howell highlights the importance of screening for social determinants of health (SDOH) using tools like the PREPARE tool from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This 21-question survey tool, integrated into case management platforms or electronic health records, helps identify barriers to care such as transportation challenges or work permissions. Screening for SDOH enables care teams to tailor treatment plans, considering factors like telehealth visits for patients with transportation barriers and addressing employer-related obstacles to regular treatments. Howell underscores the significance of these practices in enhancing patient care and addressing disparities in DME management.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.
