Trigger 2: Social Prescribing Flashcards
Definition of health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing. It is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
what are social determinants of health
The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.
social determinants of health are responsible for…
most responsible for health inequalities , which are the unfair and avoidable differences seen within and between social groups, regions and countries.
- Unfair
- Avoidable
social determinants of health are shaped by
distribution of money, power and resources at local, national and global levels
examples of SDoH
food employment addiction childhood and in utero peace transport sexuality ethnicity disability education housing poverty indigenous status
Intersectionality
The interconnected nature of social categories such as race, class and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination, oppression or disadvantage. E.g. if you fit into multiple categories which compound over lifetime, you are screwed.
e. g. if you are a refugee and live in a rural community
e. g. if you are a women and homeless
e. g. low education, live remotely and addicted
What is the medical model
the medical model runs on the assumptions that all symptoms (physical and mental) to be outward signs of an inner physical disorder
assumptions of medical model
That disorders have an organic or physical cause
e.g The medical model of mental illness treats mental disorders in the same way as a broken arm, i.e. there is thought to be a physical cause.
Limitations of medical model
1) Cash strapped NHS cant afford to treat everyone with drugs and surgery
2) New treatments being developed are very expensive
3) Diseases are often linked to social aspects- e.g. can prescribe ant-depressants, however if a women is still being beaten by her husband, the drugs will only conceal the deeper issue
4) Cant medicalise non-medical treatment
5) Doesn’t focus on prevention
6) Often medical interventions do not tackle the worst part of the diseases e.g. the anxiety and depression associated with being unwell
How can social prescribing address limitations of medical model?
Been shown to reduce GP visit rates of patients who frequently use primary care
Could provide long-term solutions for individuals with chronic disorders- tackling the root of the problem
May reduce the use of expensive drugs, which can have unpleasant side effects
Biopsychosocial model
takes into account all relevant determinants of health and disease, supporting the integration of biological, psychological and social factors in assessment, prevent and treatment
Define social prescribing
A mechanism for linking primary care patients with non-medical sources of support within their local communities
- Designed to expand treatment options available in primary care, address the social determinants of health and enhance community well-being and social inclusion.
social prescribing mainly targets
older and isolated patients
social prescribing shifts which model to which model
the biomedical healthcare model to the biopsychosocial model
aim of social prescribing
to help people manage chronic conditions and prevent more serious health problems arising.
and
to address the inequalities created by society - SDoH
Give 5 reasons social prescribing has arisen
1) population growth- ageing and advances in medical technology means demand for healthcare has increased
2) existing medical model does not address the social determinants of health
3) Without adequate funding universal healthcare is no longer possible
4) continuing to medicalise non-medical problems is unsustainable
5) adresses the psychosocial model
by 2020 the NHS will be
£30 bill short
why research social prescribing
⎝ To increase the provision and implementation of social prescribing, it is important for existing and planned schemes to conduct thorough evaluations of the health and wellbeing benefits at both individual and community levels and extrapolate those findings to the health of the nation.
- Everything has to be funded, funders want EVIDENCE
- Evaluation is key
- Evidence has to be given with specific example
summary of why social prescribing is researched
if we think it is a good schemes, we need evidence to support this (through thorough evaluations) so they can be funded and rolled out into practice.
how is SP delivered
GPs (or other health professionals) refer patients either directly or through a link worker, to services and programs available in their local community.
3 ways social prescribing can be used
1) The referral can be the only treatment
2) Can be adjunct to medical treatment
3) Or be an interim measure while waiting for medical treatment (e.g. swimming for bad knees)
linker workers role
- Provides support, education and problem-solving for the primary health care team:
- Helps GPs assessments
- Manage common mental health problems
- Act as a signpost for patients to other services which may benefit them
They ensure people access the best route into a service
outcomes targeted with SP
- improved health
- improved wellbeing
- improved work opportunities
examples of social prescribing
- arts on prescription
- museums on prescription
- books on prescription (bibliotherapy)
- education on prescription
- exercise on prescription
- time banks
- green gyms
