Social prescribing is a healthcare approach in which healthcare professionals refer people with complex health and social issues to meaningful communities in their local neighbourhoods.
A general practice may refer a patient to a link worker, who provides personalised support to help the patient find relevant social activities in their neighbourhood, such as cultural or community-based activities.
Social prescribing is a holistic approach to healthcare, with great potential to reduce social inequality in health. The concept is internationally recognised. The WHO recommends it as part of the future primary healthcare system.
Social prescribing has shown positive results in countries such as England, where it is now an integral part of the British NHS. It is also gaining ground in several other European countries, including Denmark.
Our research explores how this model can best be applied in a Danish context, and how it is best integrated as part of the collaboration between healthcare and civil society.
Social prescribing holds great potential. To achieve lasting and sustainable impact in Denmark, however, it requires a joint and systematic research effort – and this is precisely why, together with researchers from Aalborg University, the University of Southern Denmark, and Hvidovre Hospital, we have established CONNECT, a national network that unites efforts, links practice and research, and creates durable solutions.
The research group forms part of the national research network on social prescribing in Denmark: CONNECT.
CONNECT links researchers and local initiatives nationwide to generate evidence on what works, for whom, when and how. Activities build on existing work within municipalities, volunteer centres, sports organisations, and primary care.
A sustainable national model relies on qualitative and quantitative research to ensure that interventions are effective and closely integrated with practice.