Nurse Practitioner Students’ Knowledge, Comfort, and Application of Social Determinants of Health in Geriatric Care

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2026

Publisher

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Source Publication

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Source ISSN

2327-6924

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001245

Abstract

Background:

It is important for nurse practitioners (NPs) who take care of older adults to understand and assess patient social determinants of health (SDOH) due to this population's growth and unique physical and social concerns.

Purpose:

The aims of this study were to explore NP student identification, assessment, incorporation, and comfort level using SDOH while caring for geriatric patients.

Methodology:

Graduate NP students in a clinical setting with geriatric patients were recruited to complete a five-item survey: The NP SDOH Plan of Care Survey, which assessed their knowledge and familiarity of the SDOH, incorporation of SDOH, and comfort level discussing SDOH in their interactions with older adults.

Results:

Sixty-eight eligible family NPs and adult-gerontology primary care NPs students completed the survey. They most frequently and most comfortably incorporated the SDOH of social support, access to care, and transportation into their plan of care with geriatric patients in primary care settings.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of SDOH and comfort with SDOH are related to the likelihood of NP students assessing SDOH and incorporating them into the patient plan of care.

Implications:

Continued focus and emphasis on incorporating SDOH in NP programs may increase the comfort of NP students, as well as proficiency in assessment and adjustments in care with identified health-related social needs to improve the health of geriatric patients.

Comments

Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Vol. 38, No. 6 (June 2026): 398-403. DOI.

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