How do you talk with patients about hunger and access to food?

Takeaway

“I let every patient know we have a food pantry onsite in our clinic, so they can leave their medical visit with food. We also let all our telemedicine patients know we can have Amazon deliver free food to their homes.” -Dr. Mike Fingerhood, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Connecting with Patients | October 16, 2020 | <1 min read

Highlights

We routinely screen parents about food insecurity with a checklist form they fill out in the waiting room.

Swathi Raman, MD, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland

I ask, "What does a typical meal look like for you and where do you get your ingredients?"

Chase Anderson, MD, UCSF

We have "Food Clinics" where patients in need can pick up food and talk with dieticians.

Adam Koenig, Medical Student, University of Toledo, Ohio

I ask patients what they eat in a typical day and whether and where they're able to buy food.

Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I let every patient know we have a food pantry onsite in our clinic, so patients can leave their medical visit with food.

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I ask patients if they're able to purchase the food they need for themselves and their families, and if what kind of food they eat is limited because of cost.

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Swathi Raman, MD, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland

In our pediatric clinic, we routinely screen parents about food insecurity with a checklist form they fill out in the waiting room. More often than not, patients are very forthcoming and then we’re able to provide resources.

Chase Anderson, MD, UCSF

I ask, “What does a typical meal look like for you and where do you get your ingredients?”

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Adam Koenig, Medical Student, University of Toledo, Ohio

We have “Food Clinics” where patients in need can pick up food and talk with dieticians.

Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I’m especially cognizant to ask about access to food among patients who are thin, have lost significant weight, and smokers. I inquire about their appetite and specifically what they eat in a typical day. Particularly for those who don’t drive and who don’t do much meal preparation, I ask for details about whether and where they are able to purchase food.

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I let every patient know we have a food pantry onsite in our clinic, so they can leave their medical visit with food. We also let all our telemedicine patients know we can have Amazon deliver free food to their homes.

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I generally ask about this when I take a dietary history related to a health condition (such as diabetes and hypertension) and then want to follow-up to work with the patient on how to eat healthier. I ask patients if they’re able to purchase the food they need for themselves and their families, and if what kind of food they eat is limited because of cost.

Conversation

public health

Takeaway

Connecting with Patients | October 16, 2020 | <1 min read

Highlights

Swathi Raman, MD, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland

Chase Anderson, MD, UCSF

Adam Koenig, Medical Student, University of Toledo, Ohio

Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Swathi Raman, MD, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland

Chase Anderson, MD, UCSF

What do you think?

Adam Koenig, Medical Student, University of Toledo, Ohio

Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

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