Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review

Fahad Saad Aljohani; Saleh Saad Alalwani; Raed Khaled Alharbi; Alaa Ali Felemban; Salem Ahmed Aladah; Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah; Ahmed Hassan Alsomali; Bander Rashed Alwhaiby; Alhanouf Abed Saleam; Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz

doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

2024, Vol: 8, Issue: 11

8 / 11Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

« Previous Article

Review Article
Online Published: 01 Jan 2025

IJMDC. 2024; 8(11): 3309-3319

doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review

Fahad Saad Aljohani, Saleh Saad Alalwani, Raed Khaled Alharbi, Alaa Ali Felemban, Salem Ahmed Aladah, Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah, Ahmed Hassan Alsomali, Bander Rashed Alwhaiby, Alhanouf Abed Saleam, Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz.

Abstract
Family physicians are critical in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), improving patient outcomes, and optimizing healthcare utilization. This systematic review aimed to explore current literature evidence on their contributions to addressing SDOH and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization. This systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Electronic databases were searched for studies published between the years 2014 and 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining family physicians’ roles in addressing SDOH and their effects on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization. Data were extracted and synthesized thematically, with methodological quality assessed using validated tools. Fourteen studies were included, demonstrating that family physicians significantly address SDOH through interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and comprehensive care models. Their involvement was associated with reduced hospitalizations, improved health-related quality of life, and enhanced patient satisfaction. Family medicine (FM) models, particularly in community health centers, improved healthcare utilization patterns by increasing follow-up visits and reducing emergency department use. Preventive care efforts, including screenings for hypertension and tobacco use, were prioritized but constrained by time and resource limitations. Family physicians are pivotal in integrating SDOH into primary care, improving equity, and reducing healthcare costs. Expanding FM models, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing barriers such as resource constraints can enhance their impact. Future research should focus on underrepresented populations and develop standardized frameworks to evaluate their contributions comprehensively.

Key words: Family physicians, social determinants of health, patient outcomes, healthcare utilization, systemic review

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Fahad Saad Aljohani Articles by Saleh Saad Alalwani Articles by Raed Khaled Alharbi Articles by Alaa Ali Felemban Articles by Salem Ahmed Aladah Articles by Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah Articles by Ahmed Hassan Alsomali Articles by Bander Rashed Alwhaiby Articles by Alhanouf Abed Saleam Articles by Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Aljohani FS, Alalwani SS, Alharbi RK, Felemban AA, Aladah SA, Mardhamah NHA, Alsomali AH, Alwhaiby BR, Saleam AA, Soubhanneyaz AA. Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2024; 8(11): 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Web Style

Aljohani FS, Alalwani SS, Alharbi RK, Felemban AA, Aladah SA, Mardhamah NHA, Alsomali AH, Alwhaiby BR, Saleam AA, Soubhanneyaz AA. Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=230668 [Access: January 14, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Aljohani FS, Alalwani SS, Alharbi RK, Felemban AA, Aladah SA, Mardhamah NHA, Alsomali AH, Alwhaiby BR, Saleam AA, Soubhanneyaz AA. Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2024; 8(11): 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Aljohani FS, Alalwani SS, Alharbi RK, Felemban AA, Aladah SA, Mardhamah NHA, Alsomali AH, Alwhaiby BR, Saleam AA, Soubhanneyaz AA. Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. IJMDC. (2024), [cited January 14, 2025]; 8(11): 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Harvard Style

Aljohani, F. S., Alalwani, . S. S., Alharbi, . R. K., Felemban, . A. A., Aladah, . S. A., Mardhamah, . N. H. A., Alsomali, . A. H., Alwhaiby, . B. R., Saleam, . A. A. & Soubhanneyaz, . A. A. (2024) Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. IJMDC, 8 (11), 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Turabian Style

Aljohani, Fahad Saad, Saleh Saad Alalwani, Raed Khaled Alharbi, Alaa Ali Felemban, Salem Ahmed Aladah, Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah, Ahmed Hassan Alsomali, Bander Rashed Alwhaiby, Alhanouf Abed Saleam, and Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz. 2024. Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (11), 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Chicago Style

Aljohani, Fahad Saad, Saleh Saad Alalwani, Raed Khaled Alharbi, Alaa Ali Felemban, Salem Ahmed Aladah, Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah, Ahmed Hassan Alsomali, Bander Rashed Alwhaiby, Alhanouf Abed Saleam, and Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz. "Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8 (2024), 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Aljohani, Fahad Saad, Saleh Saad Alalwani, Raed Khaled Alharbi, Alaa Ali Felemban, Salem Ahmed Aladah, Norah Hussain Al Mardhamah, Ahmed Hassan Alsomali, Bander Rashed Alwhaiby, Alhanouf Abed Saleam, and Abdulrahman Abdullah Soubhanneyaz. "Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8.11 (2024), 3309-3319. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Aljohani, F. S., Alalwani, . S. S., Alharbi, . R. K., Felemban, . A. A., Aladah, . S. A., Mardhamah, . N. H. A., Alsomali, . A. H., Alwhaiby, . B. R., Saleam, . A. A. & Soubhanneyaz, . A. A. (2024) Role of family physicians in addressing social determinants of health, and their impact on patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (11), 3309-3319. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1732789630

Most Viewed Articles

Most Accessed Articles

Marginal adaptation of fixed prosthodontics
Shahad Mohammed Halawani, Sahar Amer Al-Harbi
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 78-84
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.7

Parasites in central nervous system
Amal Ahmed Mohamed, Asmaa Mohamed Mansour
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 72-77
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.6

Non-diabetic retinopathy: a case report
Hassan F. Alkwikbi, Nabil Mamon Abdelfattah, Haithem Mamon Abdelfattah
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 33-37
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.6

Vitamin D deficiency among high school female students in Riyadh
Sahar Mohsen Aldhafeeri, Fatemah Ibraheem Alrawaji, Abrar Mubarak Algharbi, Alanoud Abdullah Alhessan, Ayat Sami Qabaja, Ghaleah Abdulaziz Alnassar, Ghaliah Ofayn Alsulami, Mashael Belal Alrubaian, Norah Abdulaziz Alhatim, Salehah Salih Alotaibi, Zahra Ali Alkhamees
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 18-23
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.4

Prognosis of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) after multiple events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Baraa Faiez Rajab, Anwar Essa Alamrim, Ali Essa Alamri
IJMDC. 2019; 3(5): 474-479
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1546551993

Most Downloaded

Top Downloaded Articles

Anti-IL-17 markedly inhibited the in vitro granuloma induced by Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen.
Asmaa Ezz, Irene S. Gmail, Fatma Elzahraa H. Salem, Rabab Salama, Soad Nady
IJMDC. 2018; 2(January 2018): 38-46
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.2.1.7

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699

The knowledge of mothers about children malnutrition and associated factors
Anas Abdulrahman Aljohani, Mujahid Abdulrahman Aljohani
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 7-11
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1541620358

Knowledge and attitude of caregivers of cerebral palsy children in Riyadh city
Abdulaziz Alruwaished, Baleegh Ali, Lubna Abdullah Alhowaimil , Abaraa adullah Alhowaimil, Najd Abdullah Alhowaimil, Aminah Alessa
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 12-17
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1547833051

Most Cited Articles

Most Cited Articles

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699
Cited : 34 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among diabetes mellitus patients in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia
AMohammed Elamin Mukrim, Nujud Muteb D. Alshammari, Wurud Muteb D. Alshammari, Maali Subhi T. Alshammari, Yousef Nasif R. Alshammari, Abdulaziz Sael M. Alshammari, Maisa Hamad F. Alanazi, Abdulelah Abdulrhman F. Alzammam, Muharib Mana M. Alshammari, Slwa Khaled Abu Asyah, Aseel Jamal Alzuhayri, Mushref Saeid Alshammari
IJMDC. 2019; 3(3): 229-233
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1542576396
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination toward breast cancer among female students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Nasser Alomair, Dania Ghazi Felemban, Mohannad Sami Felemban, Jameel Abdullah Awadain, Ammar Saud Altowairqi, Nawaf Fawzan Alfawzan, Fatimah Mohammed Almazayen, Abdulrahman Jalwi Korkoman, Nawaf Saad Alrusayyis
IJMDC. 2020; 4(2): 429-434
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576668182
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Population awareness about rheumatoid arthritis in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Ali Hazzazi, Mohssen Hassen Ageeli, Ahmed Ali Muyidi, Abdulaziz Mohammad Abulgasim, Abdullah Ahmad Yateemi, Nabil Alhakami
IJMDC. 2020; 4(3): 668-675
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576010943
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence and factors associated with depression among health care workers in National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, KSA
Noor Mohammad AlFahhad
IJMDC. 2018; 2(September 2018): 92-96
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1526306040
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

About International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries

Contact Information

How to cite this article