RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patient experience with Social Prescribing Program in Ontario, Canada
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 7154
DO 10.1370/afm.22.s1.7154
VO 22
IS Supplement 1
A1 Saluja, Kiran
A1 Gauthier, Alain
A1 Durand, Francois
A1 Lemonde, Manon
A1 Timony, Patrick
A1 Dahrouge, Simone
YR 2024
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/22/Supplement_1/7154.abstract
AB Context Social Prescribing (SP) is an approach to help individuals address their health and social needs wherein a healthcare practitioner refers patients to non-clinal services in the community. Models of SP vary, and the experience of patients across these models is less known.Objective To describe patients’ experience in a SP program where patients were randomly allocated to a holistic, patient centered, bilingual, longitudinal navigation support (Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) model) or signposting to Ontario-211’s free provincial online and dial-in navigation service that provides information and referral to community resources.Study design, setting, population Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 32/326 Ontarians participating in the ARC-211 randomized control trial (2019-2020).Analysis Interviews were thematically analyzed with inductive/deductive hybrid approach, using a coding scheme adapted from Levesque’s Access framework and free coding to identify navigators’ approaches that influenced patient’s barriers to access.Results Participants were females (72%), >65 years (28%), Francophone (40%), < university degree (66%), not working (77%) and reported mental health, healthy lifestyle and social/financial related needs. ARC: All (N=17) participants used navigation. Findings were summarized across 5 themes of access and mapped to navigator’s approaches. Participants reported that ARC navigator provided informational, outreach and long-term emotional support that encouraged, motivated and empowered them in their journey to overcome access barriers. Navigator’s approaches helped participants improve their ability to identify their health/social need/s and set priorities, to seek health care services, to reach the referred community service, to obtain affordable service, and improved their self-confidence, trust, self-efficacy and readiness to engage with community services. 211: Narratives indicated Ontario-211 users (3/15) appreciated information provided and active listening by 211 navigators, and the regular updates of 211 online directory. Most non-users did not recall 211 while others were discouraged due to lack of resources and clear web-information, technology challenges, and high cost of services.Conclusion Findings suggest that SP in any form is beneficial. 211 is helpful but has limitations and ARC model although requiring a culture shift appears promising to improve access and reduce inequities.