Social prescribing: the future of healthcare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 162-165
Author(s):  
Lucy Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Complex Issue ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
The Future

The concept of social prescribing has amassed both excitement and controversy in healthcare. In this balanced discussion, Lucy Williamson delves into this complex issue and what it could mean for people with long-term conditions, with a particular focus on diabetes.

scholarly journals Current understanding and implementation of ‘care navigation’ across England: a cross-sectional study of NHS clinical commissioning groups

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (687) ◽  
pp. e675-e681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Tierney ◽  
Geoff Wong ◽  
Kamal R Mahtani
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Evaluation Of Care

BackgroundCare navigation is an avenue to link patients to activities or organisations that can help address non-medical needs affecting health and wellbeing. An understanding of how care navigation is being implemented across primary care is lacking.AimTo determine how ‘care navigation’ is interpreted and currently implemented by clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).Design and settingA cross-sectional study involving CCGs in England.MethodA questionnaire was sent to all CCGs inviting them to comment on who provided care navigation, the type of patients for whom care navigation was provided, how individuals were referred, and whether services were being evaluated. Responses were summarised using descriptive statistics.ResultsThe authors received usable responses from 83% of CCGs (n = 162), and of these >90% (n = 147) had some form of care navigation running in their area. A total of 75 different titles were used to describe the role. Most services were open to all adult patients, though particular groups may have been targeted; for example, people who are older and those with long-term conditions. Referrals tended to be made by a professional, or people were identified by a receptionist when they presented to a surgery. Evaluation of care navigation services was limited.ConclusionThere is a policy steer to engaging patients in social prescribing, using some form of care navigator to help with this. Results from this study highlight that, although this type of role is being provided, its implementation is heterogeneous. This could make comparison and the pooling of data on care navigation difficult. It may also leave patients unsure about what care navigation is about and how it could help them.

scholarly journals Exploring the Enablers and Barriers to Social Prescribing for People Living With Long-Term Neurological Conditions: A Focus Group Investigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Simpson ◽  
Moira Furlong ◽  
Clarissa Giebel
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Psychological Barriers ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Abstract Background People living with Long Term Neurological Conditions (LTNCs) value peer support and social activities. Psychological support and wellbeing enables them to manage their condition. Social prescribing is a formal process of referring patients to a link worker to co-design a plan to improve their health and wellbeing. Intervention involves supporting participation in activities based within the individual’s local community. This study aimed to explore the barriers and enablers to accessing social prescribing for people living with LTNCs (plwLTNCs). Methods A total of four focus groups were carried out with 17 participants, including different neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Fragile X Syndrome, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Two participants were family carers and supported people living with epilepsy and motor neurone disease. Findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: (1) Lack of knowledge; (2) Service provision difficulties; (3) Benefits of social prescribing activities; (4) Physical barriers and (5) Psychological barriers. There was a lack of knowledge about social prescribing and what it actually was. Participants anticipated service provision difficulties relating to funding, link workers need for knowledge of LTNC’s and for activities to be varied and individualised. The potential benefits of social prescribing activities were recognised across the groups especially its potential to tackle loneliness and to offer plwLTNC’s purpose. Participants highlighted a number of physical barriers such as transport and accessibility; and psychological barriers such as anxiety and stigma. Conclusion Social prescribing aims to address the health inequalities of those living with long-term conditions, however currently it is likely to exclude plwLTNCs. Recommendations for future research are made.

scholarly journals Social Prescribing and Lifestyle Medicine—A Remedy to Chronic Health Problems?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10096
Author(s):  
Alicja Baska ◽  
Donata Kurpas ◽  
Joyce Kenkre ◽  
Josep Vidal-Alaball ◽  
Ferdinando Petrazzuoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
British Society ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Lifestyle Medicine ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Polish Society

Social prescribing has been identified as a chance to take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing, especially for people with one or more long-term conditions. Its systemic implementation was a part of the recent United Kingdom National Health Service Long Term Plan. With a lifestyle medicine focus on equipping patients in tools necessary for self-care and self-management of their lifestyle-related health problems that coexists with the need for creating an environment supporting healthy choices, a social prescribing model seems to offer a promising strategy for advancing lifestyle medicine. This idea was discussed during a meeting hosted by the Polish Society of Lifestyle Medicine in collaboration with European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association, Polish Society of Young Family Doctors (“Młodzi Lekarze Rodzinni”), British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and European Lifestyle Medicine Council in June 2020. The aftermath—this position statement is an Authors’ attempt at summarizing the common ground for social prescribing and lifestyle medicine. It collects experiences of practitioners and researchers from five European countries as well as making recommendations for applying this model in Poland. Despite referring to local conditions, it might provide universal takeaway messages for any healthcare providers interested in combining social prescribing with lifestyle medicine practice.

scholarly journals Could social prescribing contribute to type 2 diabetes prevention in people at high risk? Protocol for a realist, multilevel, mixed methods review and evaluation

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e042303
Author(s):  
Sara Calderón Larrañaga ◽  
Megan Clinch ◽  
Trisha Greenhalgh ◽  
Sarah Finer
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Service ◽  
National Health ◽  
Stakeholder Group ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Social Prescribing

IntroductionSocial prescribing is an innovation being widely adopted within the UK National Health Service policy as a way of improving the management of people with long-term conditions, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). It generally involves linking patients in primary care with non-medical community-based interventions. Despite widespread national support, evidence for the effectiveness of social prescribing is both insufficient and contested. In this study, we will investigate whether social prescribing can contribute to T2D prevention and, if so, when, how and in what circumstances it might best be introduced.Methods and analysisWe will draw on realist evaluation to investigate the complex interpersonal, organisational, social and policy contexts in which social prescribing relevant to T2D prevention is implemented. We will set up a stakeholder group to advise us throughout the study, which will be conducted over three interconnected stages. In stage 1, we will undertake a realist review to synthesise the current evidence base for social prescribing. In stage 2, we will investigate how social prescribing relevant to people at high risk of T2D ‘works’ in a multiethnic, socioeconomically diverse community and any interactions with existing T2D prevention services using qualitative, quantitative and realist methods. In stage 3 and building on previous stages, we will synthesise a ‘transferable framework’ that will guide implementation and evaluation of social prescribing relevant to T2D prevention at scale.Ethics and disseminationNational Health Service ethics approval has been granted (reference 20/LO/0713). This project will potentially inform the adaptation of social prescribing services to better meet the needs of people at high risk of T2D in socioeconomically deprived areas. Findings may also be transferable to other long-term conditions. Dissemination will be undertaken as a continuous process, supported by the stakeholder group. Tailored outputs will target the following audiences: (1) service providers and commissioners; (2) people at high risk of T2D and community stakeholders; and (3) policy and strategic decision makers.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020196259.

scholarly journals Multimorbidity and mental health: can psychiatry rise to the challenge?

2013 ◽  
Vol 202 (6) ◽  
pp. 391-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Langan ◽  
Stewart W. Mercer ◽  
Daniel J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
The Future

SummaryMultimorbidity - the co-occurrence of two or more long-term conditions in an individual - is highly relevant to psychiatry. Changes to training and a more integrated model of psychiatric and physical healthcare are needed in the future if we are to improve the long-term health of our patients.

scholarly journals Exploring the enablers and barriers to social prescribing for people living with long-term neurological conditions: a focus group investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Simpson ◽  
Moira Furlong ◽  
Clarissa Giebel
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Psychological Barriers ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Abstract Background People living with Long Term Neurological Conditions (LTNCs) value peer support and social activities. Psychological support and wellbeing enables them to manage their condition. Social prescribing is a formal process of referring patients to a link worker to co-design a plan to improve their health and wellbeing. Intervention involves supporting participation in activities based within the individual’s local community. This study aimed to explore the barriers and enablers to accessing social prescribing for people living with LTNCs (plwLTNCs). Methods A total of four focus groups were carried out with 17 participants, including different neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Fragile X Syndrome, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Two participants were family carers and supported people living with epilepsy and motor neurone disease. Findings were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: (1) Lack of knowledge; (2) Service provision difficulties; (3) Benefits of social prescribing activities; (4) Physical barriers and (5) Psychological barriers. There was a lack of knowledge about social prescribing and what it actually was. Participants anticipated service provision difficulties relating to funding, link workers need for knowledge of LTNC’s and for activities to be varied and individualised. The potential benefits of social prescribing activities were recognised across the groups especially its potential to tackle loneliness and to offer plwLTNC’s purpose. Participants highlighted a number of physical barriers such as transport and accessibility; and psychological barriers such as anxiety and stigma. Conclusion Social prescribing aims to address the health inequalities of those living with long-term conditions, however currently it is likely to exclude plwLTNCs. Recommendations for practice and future research are made.

scholarly journals Understanding the contexts and mechanisms of bluespace prescription programmes implemented in health and social care settings: a realist review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Cesar Alejandre ◽  
Sebastien Chastin ◽  
Katherine Irvine ◽  
Michail Georgiou ◽  
Preeti Khanna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Care ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Realist Review ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Health And Social Care

Abstract Background: Nature-based social prescribing programmes such as "bluespace prescription" may promote public health and health improvement of individuals with long-term conditions. However, there is limited systematically synthesised evidence that investigates the contexts and mechanisms of Bluespace Prescription Programmes (BPPs) that could inform programme theories for policy and practice. Methods: We conducted a realist review by searching six databases for articles published between January 2000 and February 2020, in English, about health and social care professionals providing referral to or prescription of blue space activities with health-related outcomes. We developed themes of contextual factors by analysing the contexts of BPPs. We used these contextual factors to develop programme theories describing the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Our study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170660). Results: Fifteen studies with adequate to strong quality were included from 6,736 records. Service users had improvements on their physical, mental, social health, and environmental knowledge after participating in BPPs referred to or prescribed by health and social care professionals. Patient-related contextual factors were referral information, free equipment and transportation, social support, blue space environments, and skills of service providers. Intervention-related contextual factors were communication, multi-stakeholder collaboration, financing, and adequate service providers. Programme theories on patient enrolment, engagement, adherence, communication protocols, and long-term programme sustainability described the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Conclusion: BPPs could support health and social care services if contextual factors influencing patients and intervention delivery are considered for implementation. Our findings have implications in planning, development, and implementation of similar nature-based social prescribing programmes in health and social care settings. Keywords: sustainable healthcare, social prescribing, blue spaces, bluespace prescriptions

scholarly journals The frontline of social prescribing – How do we ensure Link Workers can work safely and effectively within primary care?

2019 ◽  
pp. 174239531988206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Frostick ◽  
Marcello Bertotti
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Clinical Supervision ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services

Objective To identify the training, skills and experience social prescribing Link Workers, working with patients presenting with long-term conditions, need to carry out their role safely and effectively within primary care services. Method Qualitative data were collected from Link Workers as part of the evaluation of three social prescribing schemes. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Results Link Workers describe the complexity of the work and the need to define the boundaries of their role within existing services. Previous life and work experience were invaluable and empathy was seen as a key skill. A variety of training was valued with counselling skills felt to be most critical. Clinical supervision and support were felt to be essential to conduct the work safely. Discussion Social prescribing is a significant theme within UK health policy and internationally and schemes in primary care services are common. Patient accounts consistently suggest that the Link Worker is key to the success of the pathway. Link Workers can facilitate positive behaviour change; however they must be recruited, trained and supported with a clear understanding of the demands of this complex role.

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