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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Australian and UK Perspectives on Social Prescribing Implementation Research: Theory, Measurement, Resourcing and Discovery to Ensure Health Equity
Health & Social Care in the Community, Vol.2025(1), pp.1-13
24/02/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
There has been a rapid increase in the delivery of social prescribing globally in recent years. However, a lack of theoretical framework, the diversity of social prescribing interventions and outcome measures, a lack of ongoing resources to provide services equitably and a lack of coordinated research agenda make it challenging for practitioners to know how best to put social prescribing into practice. This paper summarises perspectives from 29 UK and Australian authors and sets a course for future social prescribing implementation in four key areas: theory, measurement, resourcing and equity, and discovery (big questions on the research agenda). Eight recommendations are made: (1) multilevel or systems theory frameworks should inform programme design and implementation; (2) methods should be developed in collaboration with participants and service providers; (3) a core set of outcome measures should be developed and complemented by framework-specific measures; (4) factors at multiple levels should be included to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the experience and value of social prescribing; (5) funding models should ensure that community sector organisations providing the programmes and services are well supported; (6) social prescribing stakeholders could advocate for equitable funding through dialogue and knowledge translation; (7) future research could focus on understanding barriers and enablers of engagement in social prescribing in marginalised populations; and (8) future research should focus on link workers’ and community workers’ experiences of social prescribing. Emphasising health equity and asset-based community development, our perspective positions social prescribing not merely as a response to individual health needs but as a catalyst for a broader societal transformation.
Details
- Title
- Australian and UK Perspectives on Social Prescribing Implementation Research: Theory, Measurement, Resourcing and Discovery to Ensure Health Equity
- Creators
- Genevieve A Dingle - The University of QueenslandChristina Aggar - Southern Cross UniversityNikita Arslanovski - University College LondonThomas Astell-Burt - University of WollongongJ. R. Baker - Southern Cross UniversityRuthanne Baxter - Edinburgh University (UK, Edinburgh)Michelle Bissett - Southern Cross UniversityMhairi Bowe - Heriot-Watt UniversityEric Brymer - Southern Cross University, Human SciencesAlexandra Burton - University College LondonRichard Byng - University of PlymouthJulian Elston - University of PlymouthDaisy Fancourt - University College LondonXiaoqi Feng - UNSW SydneyEmmanuel Fino - Queen’s University Belfast (UK, Belfast)Rosanne Freak-Poli - Monash UniversityLydia Harkin - Nottingham Trent UniversityNiamh McNamara - Nottingham Trent UniversityDaniel Hayes - University College LondonLeah Sharman - The University of QueenslandEmma Hazeldine - University of PlymouthClifford Stevenson - Nottingham Trent UniversityBlerina Kellezi - Nottingham Trent UniversityJuliet Wakefeld - Nottingham Trent UniversityKatey Warran - University College LondonLeanne Wells - ASPIRE (Australia, Melbourne)Laura Wright - Edinburgh University (UK, Edinburgh)Yvonne Zurynsk - Macquarie UniversityKerryn Husk - University of Plymouth
- Publication Details
- Health & Social Care in the Community, Vol.2025(1), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Grant note
- Australian Social Prescribing Institute for Research and Education (ASPIRE), University of Queensland, National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula.
- Identifiers
- 991013265410902368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Genevieve A. Dingle et al.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; Human Sciences; Nursing
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article