Models of social prescribing to address non-medical needs in adults: a scoping review

Abstract

Background The health and wellbeing consequences of social determinants of health and health behaviours are well established. This has led to a growing interest in social prescribing, which involves linking people to services and supports in the community and voluntary sectors to address non-medical needs. However, there is considerable variability in approaches to social prescribing with little guidance on how social prescribing could be developed to reflect local health systems and needs. The purpose of this scoping review was to describe the types of social prescribing models used to address non-medical needs to inform co-design and decision-making for social prescribing program developers. Methods We searched Ovid MEDLINE(R), CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO International Clinical Trial Registry Platform, and ProQuest – Dissertations and Theses for articles and grey literature describing social prescribing programs. Reference lists of literature reviews were also searched. The searches were conducted on 2 August 2021 and yielded 5383 results following removal of duplicates. Results 148 documents describing 159 social prescribing programs were included in the review. We describe the contexts in which the programs were delivered, the program target groups and services/supports to which participants were referred, the staff involved in the programs, program funding, and the use of digital systems. Conclusions There is significant variability in social prescribing approaches internationally. Social prescribing programs can be summarised as including six planning stages and six program processes. We provide guidance for decision-makers regarding what to consider when designing social prescribing programs.

Health and Community Care Workers' Knowledge and Perceptions of Social Prescribing in Singapore

“…Low patient engagement has been found to be a major barrier to the implementation and delivery of SP services [41]. There are many reasons for low patient engagement including lack of interest and scepticism over its potential benefit, patient and family mindsets, low motivation, difficulties faced by healthcare professionals in explaining the concept of SP, financial and transport issues [42]. Exactly which factors impact the decision calculus of patients in our local context will require further study.…”

Social Prescribing Competence among Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students in Norway

“…Social prescribing, or community referral [ 1 ], is a process facilitated by healthcare professionals that directs patients to diverse societal services, typically overseen by a social prescription coordinator [ 2 ]. The coordinators, in consultation with the patient, assess their needs to create a personalized plan and connect them to non-clinical services [ 3 ], such as support groups, activity clubs, courses, or educational venues supported by municipalities or voluntary organizations [ 2 ]. Social prescribing, which emerged in the early 21st century, aims to enhance health and well-being beyond established clinical strategies [ 4 ] and can be seen as a holistic approach to health and wellness.…”

“…These interventions typically include activities such as arts and creative therapies, exercise programs, community support groups, volunteering opportunities, and access to social services [ 6 ]. The mechanism through which social prescribing is thought to work is by recognizing that health and well-being are influenced by myriad factors beyond just medical treatment [ 2 ]. By addressing social determinants of health such as loneliness, poverty, lack of access to community resources, and mental health issues, social prescribing aims to improve overall health outcomes and quality of life [ 7 ].…”

“…In many cases, social prescriptions complement treatment plans, contributing to mental health prevention and overall well-being, as evidenced in a 2023 meta-analysis demonstrating positive outcomes such as increased self-image and improved mental well-being [ 14 ]. Despite the limited availability of relevant studies in the literature [ 2 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], a meta-analysis [ 14 ] indicated that social prescription coordinators could offer more effective assistance than general practitioners or other health personnel. Coordinators, through in-depth exploration of the needs of patients and extended interaction times, were perceived as attentive and understanding, providing tailored services that precisely addressed the needs of individuals [ 14 ].…”

“…Social prescriptions tailored to the needs of the patient enhance understanding and motivation and foster a positive mood, improving both physical and psychological health conditions [ 17 ]. Although social prescribing has gained attention, it is not uniformly distributed globally, suggesting an evolving landscape in primary care that integrates social aspects for a comprehensive approach to health [ 2 , 4 , 15 , 18 ].…”