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Can Social Prescribing Foster Individual and Community Well-Being? A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Dragana Vidovic

    (Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

  • Gina Yannitell Reinhardt

    (Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

  • Clare Hammerton

    (Department of Government, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK)

Abstract

Social prescribing programmes (SP) are person-centred coaching schemes meant to help participants improve individual circumstances, thereby to reduce demand on health and social care. SP could be an innovative means to improve preventive and public health in the pursuit of universal financially sustainable healthcare. Given its potential, our systematic review assesses type, content, and quality of evidence available regarding SP effectiveness at the individual, system, and community levels. We examine the impact of SP on addressing loneliness, social isolation, well-being, and connectedness, as well as related concepts, which are not yet considered jointly in one study. Following PRISMA, we search: EBSCOHost (CINAHL Complete; eBook Collection; E-Journals; MEDLINE Full Text; Open Dissertations; PsycARTICLES; PsycINFO); Web of Science Core Collection; and UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Excluding systematic reviews and articles without impact evaluations, we review 51 studies. Several studies do not distinguish between core concepts and/or provide information on the measures used to assess outcomes; exactly one peer-reviewed study presents a randomised controlled trial. If we wish to know the potential of social prescribing to lead to universal financially sustainable healthcare, we urge researchers and practitioners to standardise definitions and metrics, and to explore conceptual linkages between social prescribing and system/community outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Dragana Vidovic & Gina Yannitell Reinhardt & Clare Hammerton, 2021. "Can Social Prescribing Foster Individual and Community Well-Being? A Systematic Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5276-:d:555466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frijters, Paul & Clark, Andrew E. & Krekel, Christian & Layard, Richard, 2020. "A happy choice: wellbeing as the goal of government," Behavioural Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(2), pages 126-165, July.
    2. Julianne Holt-Lunstad & Timothy B Smith & J Bradley Layton, 2010. "Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(7), pages 1-1, July.
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    1. Denise Wilfling & Jona Budke & Nicole Warkentin & Katja Goetz, 2023. "How Do Health Care Professionals Perceive a Holistic Care Approach for Geriatric Patients? A Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Mirian Fernández-Salido & Tamara Alhambra-Borrás & Jorge Garcés-Ferrer, 2024. "Implementation of a Comprehensive and Personalised Approach for Older People with Psychosocial Frailty in Valencia (Spain): Study Protocol for a Pre–Post Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Roxana Surugiu & Mihaela Adela Iancu & Anca Maria Lăcătus & Carmen Adriana Dogaru & Mioara Desdemona Stepan & Irina Anca Eremia & Andrea Elena Neculau & Gheorghe Gindrovel Dumitra, 2023. "Unveiling the Presence of Social Prescribing in Romania in the Context of Sustainable Healthcare—A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Kate Bernard & Josephine M. Wildman & Louise M. Tanner & Akvile Stoniute & Madeleine Still & Rhiannon Green & Claire Eastaugh & Sarah Sowden & Katie H. Thomson, 2023. "Experiences of Non-Pharmaceutical Primary Care Interventions for Common Mental Health Disorders in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Groups: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-23, March.

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