[News] Social prescribing: giving a name to whole-person care

Social prescribing might be a newer term, but it is a core part of the care we already do. 

As doctors, we are trained to consider the whole person in patient care. We look for ways to connect patients to non-clinical services and programs in their community to support their social, mental and physical well-being and improve their overall health. The goal of calling this valuable part of clinical care “social prescribing” is to recognize it with a name, make it systematic and build in support for you and your team.

Social prescribing by the numbers

In 2018, the Alliance for Healthier Communities launched a year-long research pilot throughout Ontario called Rx: Community, in which 11 diverse clinical sites provided nearly 3,300 social prescriptions to over 1,100 people. Interventions included programs for food security, social connection, movement, housing or legal support, affordability and more. Nine months into the pilot, 84% of participating health professionals reported improvements in participant health and well-being, and 42% reported a decrease in repeat visits. Rx: Community also found that dedicated navigator support was needed for social prescribing programs to reach their full potential, which can come in the form of a link worker that supports a practice or group of practices.

Natasha Beaudin, social prescribing lead at the alliance, sees a big impact from these small interventions. “Social prescribing is about asking one or two more questions, finding openings and opportunities to help clients work on their own health in a way that’s right for them. This helps to create a relationship of trust.”

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