Social prescribing
Social Prescribing
Social prescribing, also known as community referral, is a means of enabling healthcare professionals to refer patients to a range of local, non-clinical services. Pronounced as /ˈsoʊʃəl prɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/, the term is of English origin, with "social" meaning relating to society or its organization and "prescribing" meaning advise and authorize the use of (a medicine or treatment) for someone, especially in writing.
Definition
Social prescribing is a way for local agencies to refer people to a range of non-clinical services. These services can include activities such as art classes, gardening, cooking classes, counseling, and exercise programs. The aim is to support people with a wide range of social, emotional, or practical needs, and many schemes are focused on improving mental health and physical well-being.
History
The concept of social prescribing has its roots in the biopsychosocial model of health, which suggests that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a significant role in human health and wellness. The term "social prescribing" was first used in the UK in the early 2000s, and the practice has since been adopted in various forms by health systems around the world.
Benefits
Social prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes. It can also contribute to a range of wider benefits, such as reductions in the use of NHS services, improvements in patient satisfaction and reductions in health inequalities. It can also lead to improved self-esteem and confidence, and provide people with the skills to manage their own health.
Related Terms
- Biopsychosocial model
- Community referral
- Non-clinical services
- Mental health
- Physical well-being
- NHS
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Social prescribing
- Wikipedia's article - Social prescribing
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