University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Wolseley Trust, Plymouth, UK.
Health Soc Care Community. 2021 Nov;29(6):1844-1851. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13295. Epub 2021 Feb 2.
Social prescribing (SP) is increasing in popularity in the UK and can enable healthcare providers to respond more effectively to a range of non-clinical needs. With the NHS commitment to establish an SP link worker in all GP practices, there is a rapid increase in the number of SP schemes across the country. There is currently insufficient evidence concerning the implementation and acceptability of SP schemes. In this paper, we report our analysis of the descriptions of the experiences of SP link workers, regarding the early implementation of SP link workers in two SP programmes in the South West. Data were gathered using the 'Researcher in Residence' (RiR) model, where the researcher was immersed in the environments in which the SP was managed and delivered. The RiR undertook conversations with 11 SP link workers, 2 SP link worker managers and 1 SP counsellor over six months. The RiR visited seven link workers at their GP practices (service 1) and four at their head office (service 2). The RiR met with the link worker managers at their offices, and the RiR spoke with the SP counsellor on the telephone. Data from these conversations were analysed using Thematic Analysis and six codes were constructed to advance our understanding of the components of early implementation of the SP programmes. Training (particularly around mental health), workforce support, location and SP champions within GP practices were found to be key strategies of SP implementation, link worker involvement acting as a conduit for the impacts of these strategies. This paper suggests that the implementation of SP programmes can be improved by addressing each of these areas, alongside allowing link workers the flexibility and authority to respond to challenges as they emerge.
社会处方（SP）在英国越来越受欢迎，它可以使医疗保健提供者更有效地应对各种非临床需求。由于国民保健制度承诺在所有全科医生诊所都设立一名 SP 联络工作者，因此全国各地的 SP 计划数量迅速增加。目前，关于 SP 计划的实施和可接受性的证据不足。在本文中，我们报告了对两名 SP 计划中 SP 联络工作者早期实施经验描述的分析结果，该计划位于英国西南部。数据是使用“驻研究员”（RiR）模型收集的，研究员沉浸在管理和提供 SP 的环境中。RiR 在六个月内与 11 名 SP 联络工作者、2 名 SP 联络工作者经理和 1 名 SP 顾问进行了交谈。RiR 访问了七名在他们的全科医生诊所（服务 1）的联络工作者和四名在他们的总部（服务 2）的联络工作者。RiR 在他们的办公室与联络工作者经理会面，并与 SP 顾问通了电话。对这些对话的数据进行了主题分析，构建了六个代码，以加深我们对 SP 计划早期实施的组成部分的理解。培训（特别是心理健康方面）、劳动力支持、地理位置以及全科医生诊所内的 SP 拥护者被发现是 SP 实施的关键策略，联络工作者的参与充当了这些策略影响的渠道。本文认为，通过解决这些领域，同时允许联络工作者在出现挑战时灵活和自主地做出回应，可以改善 SP 计划的实施。
