Social prescribing is an approach that aims to improve health and well-being. It connects individuals to non-clinical services and supports that address social needs, such as those related to loneliness, housing instability and mental health. At the person level, social prescribing can give individuals the knowledge, skills, motivation and confidence to manage their own health and well-being. At the society level, it can facilitate greater collaboration across health, social, and community sectors to promote integrated care and move beyond the traditional biomedical model of health. While the term social prescribing was first popularised in the UK, this practice has become more prevalent and widely publicised internationally over the last decade. This paper aims to illuminate the ways social prescribing has been conceptualised and implemented across 17 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. We draw from the ‘Beyond the Building Blocks’ framework to describe the essential inputs for adopting social prescribing into policy and practice, related to service delivery; social determinants and household production of health; workforce; leadership and governance; financing, community organisations and societal partnerships; health technology; and information, learning and accountability. Cross-cutting lessons can inform country and regional efforts to tailor social prescribing models to best support local needs.

Background: Engagement of men with commercial and UK National Health Service (NHS) weight loss services is low, and few studies report on why this may be. However, evidence shows that men who do participate in weight loss programmes tend to lose as much, or more weight than women. The present study aimed to explore men's experiences and expectations of mainstream weight loss services in the UK, following referral from a medical professional, particular in relation to barriers and motivators. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 men with a BMI over 25 kg/m 2 including those who had, and had not, attended group-based or one-to-one weight loss services. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Two themes were identified; 'Fear as a motivation for change' (1) and 'Attitudes towards existing weight loss services' (2). Within theme two, two subthemes were identified; 'Female dominated services' and 'Incompatibility of existing services for men'. The findings suggest that fear, as a result of a medical diagnosis or referral is a mechanism for motivating men to engage with weight loss services. This was often augmented by awareness of other people's experiences of poor health due to their weight. The gender imbalance and attitudes towards existing weight loss services deterred men from engaging with or continuously attending sessions. This imbalance resulted in feelings of self-consciousness, shame and a perceived stigma for men using weight loss services. These experiences highlighted the importance of providing services which align with men's preferences to promote engagement. Conclusions: A medical diagnosis or referral serves as a strong motivator for men to engage with weight loss services by invoking fear of negative consequences of not losing weight. Men perceived weight loss services to be feminised spaces, in which they felt self-conscious and out of place. As a result, men were deterred from engaging and considered their options were limited. Implications for service design and commissioning are discussed. Involving men in research, service design and evaluation is key to improving their engagement and weight loss.

ObjectiveThe evidence base for social prescribing is inconclusive, and evaluations have been criticised for lacking rigour. This realist review sought to understand how and why social prescribing evaluations work or do not work. Findings from this review will contribute to the development of an evidence-based evaluation framework and reporting standards for social prescribing.DesignA realist review.Data sourcesASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus Online, Social Care Online, Web of Science and grey literature.Eligibility criteriaDocuments reporting on social prescribing evaluations using any methods, published between 1998 and 2020 were included. Documents not reporting findings or lacking detail on methods for data collection and outcomes were excluded.AnalysisIncluded documents were segregated into subcases based on methodology. Data relating to context, mechanisms and outcomes and the programme theory were extracted and context-mechanism-outcome configurations were developed. Meta-inferences were drawn from all subcases to refine the programme theory.Results83 documents contributed to analysis. Generally, studies lacked in-depth descriptions of the methods and evaluation processes employed. A cyclical process of social prescribing evaluation was identified, involving preparation, conducting the study and interpretation. The analysis found that coproduction, alignment, research agency, sequential mixed-methods design and integration of findings all contributed to the development of an acceptable, high-quality social prescribing evaluation design. Context-mechanism-outcome configurations relating to these themes are reported.ConclusionsTo develop the social prescribing evidence base and address gaps in our knowledge about the impact of social prescribing and how it works, evaluations must be high quality and acceptable to stakeholders. Development of an evaluation framework and reporting standards drawing on the findings of this realist review will support this aim.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020183065.

Aims: Social prescribing is being widely implemented in Wales, but there is no consensus on the necessary learning, training and education needs for people delivering social prescribing. The purpose of the study was to develop an education and training needs conceptual framework for social prescribers in Wales, which could be used by commissioners and providers for the development of social prescribing curricula. Methods: This study used two consensus methods. First, Group Concept Mapping using Concept Systems Global MaxTM software which identified the important and available learning needs of 18 ( n = 18) geographically spread social prescribing practitioners. Second, a world café style workshop asked 85 ( n = 85) social prescribers to identify when training and support would be most appropriate and valuable in developing their role and skills. Results: A Social Prescribing Learning Needs Framework was developed identifying important learning needs and their availability across a timeline from induction onwards. This was conceptualised from a group concept mapping cluster map and go-zone report. The map comprises five clusters of statements (compassion, interpersonal relationships, socioeconomic disadvantage, networking and monitoring data) from the original 120 statements of learning needs identified by participants. The Go-Zone report displayed how each learning need was rated by participants on scales of importance and availability. A large number of training needs (45%) that were identified as important, are not currently available to social prescribers. All training needs were placed within the first year of the social prescriber working timeline, with 39% placed in an induction period. Conclusion: The use of two different consensus methods enabled social prescribers geographically spread across Wales to engage with the study. The Social Prescribing Learning Needs Framework will be used to inform the commissioning and decommissioning of training for people delivering social prescribing in Wales.

Objectives: A Rapid Realist Review of social prescribing in Higher Education (HE) was undertaken to determine what works, for whom, how, why, and within what circumstances. The review resulted in the development of a Realist Programme Theory articulating the way in which social prescribing can be implemented within the HE environment.Methods: Searches of 12 electronic databases were supplemented by citation chaining and grey literature surfaced by the Project Advisory Group. The RAMESES Quality Standards for Realist Review were followed, and the retrieved articles were systematically screened and iteratively analysed to develop Context-Mechanism-Outcome Configurations (CMOCs) and an overarching Realist Programme Theory.Results: A total of 57 documents were included. The overarching programme theory was developed from the analysis of these documents and comprised of a social prescribing pathway with the following components: (1) An Accessible Gateway, (2) A Skilled Peer, (3) Trusted-Safe-Credible Resources, and (4) A Healthy Setting.Conclusion: A Realist Programme Theory was developed—this model and associated principles will provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of social prescribing pathways within higher education. Whilst the direct project outputs are of particular significance to the UK HE audience, the underpinning principles can support practice within the global arena.