Improving social prescribing effectiveness: enhancing the role of third sector organisations in health and environmental outcomes
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
Social prescribing is a novel approach that connects primary healthcare with community resources to enhance individuals' wellbeing by addressing practical, social, and emotional needs. Our research operates within this context and seeks to shed light on interactions between key stakeholders and potential outcomes.
Research context
Social prescribing initiatives, notably those running within the UK's National Health Service, involve healthcare professionals referring individuals to link workers, who, in turn, connect them with community resources. The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector plays a pivotal role in providing these community resources, including support groups, physical activities, advocacy, and nature-based interventions. This approach aligns with a shift towards recognising social determinants of health and aims to address overmedication, particularly the rising use of pharmaceuticals impacting individuals as well as the environment, namely through traces in wastewater.
Aim, studies and methods
The aims are twofold:
1. Understanding VCSE dynamics: Given the importance of the VCSE sector in social prescribing effectiveness, our first aim is to characterize the interactions between VCSE groups and those referring individuals to them (i.e., link workers) and those influencing their activities (i.e., commissioners).
2. Exploring the link between social prescribing and pharmaceuticals: Building on the impact of VCSE activity, our second aim is to examine an underexplored outcome of social prescribing - its potential influence on pharmaceutical prescriptions and its environmental implications.
These will be addressed through four studies. Firstly, a review which will document experiences of VCSE organisations within social prescribing provision, including funding challenges and outcomes evaluated. Secondly, we will conduct interviews with VCSE representatives to explore barriers and facilitators in their interactions and potential social prescribing outcomes, including environmental impacts. Thirdly, building on the two prior studies, paired interviews combining VCSE representatives with either link workers or commissioners exploring their respective remits within the social prescribing system. At present, I anticipate the final study will be an analysis of secondary data provided by a GP surgery to explore the impact of social prescribing on wellbeing and medication use, considering pharmaceutical residue in wastewater.
Planned Collaboration
To address the interdisciplinary nature of this research, we have assembled a team of supervisors and collaborators with expertise in environmental impacts, social and health psychology, and social prescribing design and delivery. External collaborators include Wessex Water, Bath & North East Somerset council, and a local BANES Medical Practice. Given the newness and evolving nature of social prescribing, an overseas institutional visit is planned to gain insights on practice in this field.
Potential applications and benefits
This research addresses a gap in social prescribing studies by emphasising VCSE perspective and their funding and evaluation requirements alongside potential longer-term health and environmental outcomes. I anticipate that the results of the planned studies have several potential applications and benefits:
- Enhancing social prescribing effectiveness by understanding dynamics between key stakeholders to maximise VCSE potential.
- Potential for reducing pharmaceutical over-prescription by identifying the relationship between social prescribing and pharmaceutical use to benefit individuals and the environment.
- Environmental sustainability by offering insights into how social prescribing can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing pharmaceutical residues in wastewater.
This research aligns with evolving social prescribing research trends and aims to inform policy and delivery in this area.
Research context
Social prescribing initiatives, notably those running within the UK's National Health Service, involve healthcare professionals referring individuals to link workers, who, in turn, connect them with community resources. The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector plays a pivotal role in providing these community resources, including support groups, physical activities, advocacy, and nature-based interventions. This approach aligns with a shift towards recognising social determinants of health and aims to address overmedication, particularly the rising use of pharmaceuticals impacting individuals as well as the environment, namely through traces in wastewater.
Aim, studies and methods
The aims are twofold:
1. Understanding VCSE dynamics: Given the importance of the VCSE sector in social prescribing effectiveness, our first aim is to characterize the interactions between VCSE groups and those referring individuals to them (i.e., link workers) and those influencing their activities (i.e., commissioners).
2. Exploring the link between social prescribing and pharmaceuticals: Building on the impact of VCSE activity, our second aim is to examine an underexplored outcome of social prescribing - its potential influence on pharmaceutical prescriptions and its environmental implications.
These will be addressed through four studies. Firstly, a review which will document experiences of VCSE organisations within social prescribing provision, including funding challenges and outcomes evaluated. Secondly, we will conduct interviews with VCSE representatives to explore barriers and facilitators in their interactions and potential social prescribing outcomes, including environmental impacts. Thirdly, building on the two prior studies, paired interviews combining VCSE representatives with either link workers or commissioners exploring their respective remits within the social prescribing system. At present, I anticipate the final study will be an analysis of secondary data provided by a GP surgery to explore the impact of social prescribing on wellbeing and medication use, considering pharmaceutical residue in wastewater.
Planned Collaboration
To address the interdisciplinary nature of this research, we have assembled a team of supervisors and collaborators with expertise in environmental impacts, social and health psychology, and social prescribing design and delivery. External collaborators include Wessex Water, Bath & North East Somerset council, and a local BANES Medical Practice. Given the newness and evolving nature of social prescribing, an overseas institutional visit is planned to gain insights on practice in this field.
Potential applications and benefits
This research addresses a gap in social prescribing studies by emphasising VCSE perspective and their funding and evaluation requirements alongside potential longer-term health and environmental outcomes. I anticipate that the results of the planned studies have several potential applications and benefits:
- Enhancing social prescribing effectiveness by understanding dynamics between key stakeholders to maximise VCSE potential.
- Potential for reducing pharmaceutical over-prescription by identifying the relationship between social prescribing and pharmaceutical use to benefit individuals and the environment.
- Environmental sustainability by offering insights into how social prescribing can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing pharmaceutical residues in wastewater.
This research aligns with evolving social prescribing research trends and aims to inform policy and delivery in this area.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000630/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2867805 | Studentship | ES/P000630/1 | 01/10/2023 | 30/09/2026 | Estelle Corbett |