An Ethnographic Study of Social Prescribing in General Practice_1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An ethnographic study of social prescribing in general practices serving a UK locality with high levels of socio-economic deprivation
IRAS ID
242776
Contact name
Bethan Griffith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Persistent health inequalities mean that the burden of long-term health conditions and multi-morbidity falls disproportionately on those in lower socioeconomic groups. Such conditions are often managed in primary care, a sector under increasing strain which has not been historically well equipped to tackle the social determinants of ill health. Furthermore, a prolonged period of austerity and welfare reform has seen an increase in income inequality and social isolation which has widened existing health inequalities and further increased pressure on primary care services.
Social prescribing is used to bridge the gap between health care and social support. It allows health professionals to link individuals to non-clinical services that help them manage their health conditions as well as offering social support. Despite endorsement from the Department of Health the evidence base for social prescribing is weak and the theory of the intervention remains underdeveloped. Clear aims and objectives are often lacking from studies, suggesting contextual factors that have been hitherto unaccounted for.
Ways to Wellness (WtW) is a large-scale social prescribing initiative operating in a socioeconomically deprived area of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is funded for seven years and provides an un-paralleled opportunity for understanding social prescribing. Early data suggests its impact extends beyond referred individuals to families and communities but there are considerable variations in GP referral rates and individual engagement.
Through collaborating with WtW and primary care teams we propose a qualitative study, using ethnographic observational methods, to explore the experiences and meanings of WtW for those involved. It has been suggested that an ethnographic approach can help researchers understand the social contexts of initiatives and build theory around their mode of action. Focusing on primary care we aim to understand how use of the service is embedded in everyday processes by observing engagement and exploring practices in different settings.REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
18/WS/0088
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion