A controlled evaluation of social prescribing programs for adults in Queensland, Australia

This study conducted at five sites in Queensland will examine the effects of social prescribing (SP) to a community based group program compared to primary care treatment as usual (TAU) on participants’ loneliness, mental wellbeing, and health service use. Social prescribing involves the person being referred (often by a GP or allied health professional) to a link worker (typically a nurse or social worker) who meets with the person to find a suitable social group program the person can join. The number of social groups will be at the discretion of the participant however we expect that it will only be one new group activity within the 8 week period between T1 and T2 surveys. Examples include arts based groups, exercise groups, and adult education classes, typically once a week for 1-2 hours (we will examine the first 8 weeks, although programs differ in duration). There is no maximum number of participants per group program, although they typically involve 8 - 20 participants, depending on the nature of the activity. Participants' attendance at meetings with the link worker and attendance at the group programs will be monitored by the link workers. The aim is to increase people's meaningful participation in social and community life which is likely to decrease loneliness, improve their mental health and wellbeing and decrease their reliance on primary health services.