Theories used to develop or evaluate social prescribing in studies: a scoping review

Sinah Evers · Kerryn Husk · Hendrik Napierala · L. Elaine Wendt · Ansgar Gerhardus

30 citations0/0 files storedBMC Health Services Research

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Art Therapy and Mental Health Evaluation and Performance Assessment Health Policy Implementation Science

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to provide an overview of how theories were used in the development or evaluation of social prescribing (SP) intervention studies. BACKGROUND: SP describes a patient pathway where general practitioners (GPs) connect patients with community activities through referrals to link workers. This review seeks to understand the explanations provided for the outcomes and implementation process of SP. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies using a defined theory to develop or evaluate a specific SP intervention in primary care and the community sector. METHODS: of July 2022: PubMed, ASSIA, Cochrane, Cinahl, PsycINFO, Social Care Online, Sociological Abstracts, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search only considered English language texts. Additional literature was identified by searching relevant web pages and by contacting experts. The selection of sources and the data extraction was done by two reviewers independently. RESULTS: The search resulted in 4240 reports, of which 18 were included in the scoping review. Of these, 16 were conducted in the UK, one in Canada and one in Australia. The majority of reports employed a qualitative approach (11/18). Three were study protocols. 11 distinct theories were applied to explain outcomes (4 theories), differences in outcomes (3 theories), and the implementation of the intervention (4 theories). In terms of practical application, the identified theories were predominantly used to explain and understand qualitative findings. Only one theory was used to define variables for hypothesis testing. All theories were used for the evaluation and none for the development of SP. CONCLUSION: The theories influenced which outcomes the evaluation assessed, which causal pathway was expected to generate these outcomes, and which methodological approaches were used. All three groups of theories that were identified focus on relevant aspects of SP: fostering positive patient/community outcomes, addressing inequalities by considering the context of someone's individual circumstances, and successfully implementing SP by collaboratively working across professions and institutional boundaries. Additional insight is required regarding the optimal use of theories in practical applications.

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References

2000Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.2018PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation 2016Rayyan—a web and mobile app for systematic reviews 1985Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste.2017Social prescribing: less rhetoric and more reality. A systematic review of the evidence 2019What approaches to social prescribing work, for whom, and in what circumstances? A realist review 2022Global developments in social prescribing 2018Social prescribing: where is the evidence?

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2025Australian and UK Perspectives on Social Prescribing Implementation Research: Theory, Measurement, Resourcing and Discovery to Ensure Health Equity 2025The Role of Social Prescribing Interventions in Addressing Health Inequalities in the United Kingdom: A Narrative Review 2024An evaluation of the role of social identity processes for enhancing health outcomes within UK ‐based social prescribing initiatives designed to increase social connection and reduce loneliness: A systematic review 2025A social prescribing model for tackling the health and social inequalities of people living with severe mental illness: a protocol paper

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