SPARK
Study Name: Implementation of the Screening for Poverty And Related Social Determinants and Intervening to Improve Knowledge of and Links to Resources (SPARK) tool in primary care in Alberta
Investigators: Dr. Stephanie Garies1, Dr. Kerry McBrien1, Dr. Kimberly Manalili1
Affiliations:
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary.
Status: Recruiting primary care practices
Abstract
Background: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are important considerations in the delivery of comprehensive primary health care, yet clinicians often do not have SDoH information about their patients. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to address the upstream factors that impact health and wellbeing. There is a growing movement across the country to integrate a standardized electronic survey (‘SPARK Tool’) to capture SDoH data from patients in primary care. We are the first to pilot the SPARK Tool in Alberta, which will inform a later spread and scale phase across the province.
Objective: To study the implementation of the SPARK Tool in primary care settings in Alberta to collect SDoH information from patients, and to co-design approaches to help practices use data to better support the social and economic needs of their patients
Methods: An environmental scan will be conducted to identify services and resources in Alberta that can support patients’ social and economic needs. The implementation of the SPARK tool in 10 primary care practices will be studied using a mixed methods approach, including co-design workshops with clinicians, allied health professionals and patients, interviews and surveys.
Interested in this study? Contact Sapcren@ucalgary.ca for more information.