Experts suggest how to address non-responses during social needs screening
When parents to questions about their social needs such as access to food, housing or transportation, providers should ask whether they meant to omit an answer. If so, providers can explain the questionnaire’s purpose and say screening results will not affect the care they provide but may help to meet patients’ nonmedical needs. Some providers offer resource connections to all patients, regardless of screening answers. Providers should pair screenings with handoffs to social workers, family health navigators or contacts within social service agencies. A recent found nearly 10% of caregivers to more than 177,000 children did not respond to one or more questions on their social needs. (Medscape , 9/4/25)