Reviewhybrid2024

Experiences of social prescribing in the UK: a qualitative systematic review

16 citations0/0 files storedBritish Journal of General Practice

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Art Therapy and Mental Health Health Services Management and Policy Evaluation and Performance Assessment

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social prescribing connects patients to resources or activities to meet their non-medical needs. In the UK, it is often implemented in primary care. In the social prescribing pathway, patients are directed to link workers to identify suitable solutions for their needs such as art workshops or welfare benefit guidance. Social prescribing marks a notable transition from traditional medical treatments to more comprehensive strategies focusing on holistic health and wellbeing strategies. Insights from patient experiences can improve the development of social prescribing to better meet their needs. This understanding can aid in improving the delivery and outcomes of social prescribing. AIM: To synthesise qualitative research on the experiences of social prescribing among patients in the UK. DESIGN AND SETTING: A qualitative systematic review - using thematic synthesis for peer-reviewed papers focused on experiences of social prescribing users in the UK. METHOD: An exhaustive search was performed in six databases: ASSIA, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PSYCINFO, and SOCIAL SCIENCE CITATION INDEX via Web of Science. The CASP tool for qualitative research was used for quality assessment and PRISMA 2020 Checklist was used to ensure the report transparency. RESULT: Titles and abstracts of 1,269 papers were screened. In total, 85 papers were full text-screened, and 19 studies were included in the review. Five analytical themes were developed from these papers: (a) Searching for hope in times of adversity; (b) Variability in temporal responsiveness; (c) Feeling supported and empowered by the social prescribing pathway; (d) Sustained change from a positive response; (e) Misalignment producing no response. CONCLUSION: Patients might experience lasting advantages from social prescribing if it aligns with their needs and expectations. Results highlighted the importance of matching social prescribing referral with patients' readiness to engage. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare professionals evaluate patient suitability prior to beginning a social prescribing referral.

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References

2021The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews 2020Optimising the value of the critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) tool for quality appraisal in qualitative evidence synthesis 1994The Handbook of Research Synthesis 2017Social prescribing: less rhetoric and more reality. A systematic review of the evidence 2022Citationchaser: A tool for transparent and efficient forward and backward citation chasing in systematic searching 2017Non-clinical community interventions: a systematised review of social prescribing schemes 2022Global developments in social prescribing 2017Link Worker social prescribing to improve health and well-being for people with long-term conditions: qualitative study of service user perceptions

Cited by

2026The health economics of social prescribing: systematic review of the international evidence 2026Social prescribing within five European countries: a protocol of a cross-country qualitative analysis 2026From fragmentation to integration: can social prescribing bridge the gap between multimorbidity and mental health in an ageing population?2025Understanding the potential role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in supporting identified needs of people with physical and mental long-term conditions: a qualitative study

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