Development of a toolkit for green social prescribing in primary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and pilot testing of a primary care-based toolkit to improve engagement with green social prescribing (GSP) of patients in later life living in deprived areas
IRAS ID
334759
Contact name
Helen Frost
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
MR/Y010868/1, Developing and pilot testing a primary care-based toolkit to improve engagement with green social prescribing of older people living in deprived areas
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 8 days
Research summary
Green social prescribing is becoming more popular across the UK as a new way that doctors and other healthcare staff help people of all ages improve their health and well-being. Instead of giving tablets for problems like depression or joint and muscle pains, green social prescribing links people to ‘nature-based’ outdoor activities they like that will benefit both their physical and mental health. Thinking about more ways to get outside and enjoy fresh air is especially important as people age and yet, very often people from poorer areas are not considered when creating new ways to improve health and well-being.
This project brings together many people, including experts in green social prescribing, GPs, patients, and others, who are interested in expanding green social prescribing for people, especially for those who live in economically challenged areas in later life. Research shows many health benefits of engaging in ‘nature-based’ activities yet many healthcare workers, including GPs, lack knowledge of how to refer people to such activities. Therefore, our aim is to develop and test an easy to use, digital toolkit to help healthcare staff and others working in primary care to refer more older patients (>50yrs) in deprived areas to ‘nature-based’ activities.
To do this we will hold workshops and talk with people covering a wide variety of perspectives to better understand what needs to be considered to develop the toolkit. We will develop the digital toolkit together with patients and healthcare workers and monitor the use of the toolkit in primary care. We will talk to patients who are referred to ‘nature-based’ activities to understand their views and monitor any changes in their health before and after they are referred. The overall goal is to allow more older people from deprived areas to experience the health benefits that ‘nature-based’ activities may provide.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
24/SS/0006
Date of REC Opinion
5 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion