Prerequisites for social prescribing in Swedish primary care – stakeholders’ perspectives

TL;DR

This study explores how social prescribing could be implemented in Sweden to address loneliness, focusing on stakeholders' views on necessary conditions.

Contribution

The paper provides new insights into the prerequisites for implementing social prescribing in the Swedish healthcare system based on stakeholder perspectives.

Findings

Three key themes emerged: bridging organizational gaps, balancing professional expectations, and addressing real patient needs.

Sweden's existing robust health organizations and available activities are seen as advantages for social prescribing.

Implementation challenges include limited healthcare resources and difficulties in evaluating program effectiveness.

Abstract

Loneliness is a complex public health issue that can lead to increased morbidity, with higher prevalence among older adults. Social prescribing may be one way to ease loneliness. This study aims to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of prerequisites for implementing a social prescribing program in a Swedish context.

Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse individual semi-structured interviews with eleven stakeholders whose experience were considered relevant for implementing a social prescribing program in the Swedish context. They were selected to provide diverse perspectives related to organisation, position, and geography.

From the analysis three themes were constructed; Where to implement – Necessity to bridge organisational gaps, How to implement – Balancing professional expectations, and For whom to implement – Addressing those with ‘real’ needs. These themes highlight the perceived prerequisites, including barriers and facilitators, for successful implementation of social prescribing.

The participants’ perceptions are suggesting that Sweden has several practical advantages in place for implementing social prescribing, such as robust organisations responsible for citizens’ health and well-being and a range of activities available. If organisations can collaborate by prioritizing patients’ needs and overcoming organisational divisions and responsibilities, there is potential for successfully implementing social prescribing in Sweden in the future. Nevertheless, implementation may be hampered by limited resources within health care, and challenges to evaluate program effects.