Many family doctors are starting to use what is called “social prescribing”. As one doctor said, “I’m now treating a patient as a whole person and not just a cluster of symptoms”.
Patients seek medical attention, but they may not need an actual prescription. They may need help with loneliness, lack of proper housing, grief, lack of exercise. Doctors may write prescriptions to attend a yoga class, get some financial help, join a men’s shed.
Health Connectors are employees in doctors’ offices. They listen to a patient’s story and provide guidance, help and information about community resources.
Patients feel they are given more choice and control over their lives. By getting involved in community groups they feel an improved sense of belonging.
CCKC received a generous grant from the William J. Henderson Foundation to undertake a quality improvement (QI) study at Queen’s University. The study, led by Dr. Rylan Egan, School of Nursing (Health Quality Programs), aims to improve social prescribing strategies within primary healthcare settings and assess their impact.
Social prescribing recognizes the importance of the social determinants of health, which contribute to over 80 percent of health outcomes. Roughly 50 percent of primary care visits are for non-medical reasons! Some healthcare practitioners are now adding community-based and non-pharmaceutical prescriptions such as exercise, joining clubs, or a puppy for exercise and companionship.
The Queen’s Family Health Team, under the direction of Dr. Imaan Bayoumi, and the Rural Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Allied Health Team, under the direction of Dr. Jeanette Dietrich, are now part of this research project.