Social prescribing by community nurses in southeastern Australia: a qualitative study
AI Summary
Community nurses recognise social determinants of health and refer patients to community activities such as men's sheds, coffee groups, walking groups and art therapy.
Multiple barriers limit social prescribing: limited awareness of the term, workforce constraints, funding, accessibility and practical implementation challenges.
Addressing awareness, resource and system barriers is essential to integrate social prescribing into community nursing and improve patient social support.
J Res Nurs. 2026 Jun 5:17449871261446841. doi: 10.1177/17449871261446841. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Social prescribing involves referring patients to community-based facilities that provide social support. Community nurses can play a crucial role in social prescribing; however, there is limited knowledge about their experiences in this area.
AIMS: This study explored the experiences of community nurses in Australia regarding social prescribing.
METHODS: Twenty community nurses were recruited and interviewed using snowball and purposive sampling. The nurses held various roles, including crisis management, case manager, team leader, general practice nurse, counsellor and mental health nurse. Thematic analysis was used.
RESULTS: The common social prescribing activities nurses referred to were men’s sheds, coffee groups, walking groups and art therapy. Four themes were identified: (1) a broader view of patient care, (2) barriers to considering social prescribing referrals, (3) barriers to implementing social prescribing referrals and (4) their recommendations. Community nurses prefer social prescribing activities that are affordable and achievable, help clients deal with isolation and keep clients physically active. However, not all nurses were aware of the term ‘social prescribing’.
CONCLUSIONS: Community nurses do recognise the social aspects of health. However, they encounter considerable challenges that hinder the implementation of social prescribing. Addressing these challenges is essential for integrating social prescribing into community nursing care.
Biopsychosoc Sci Med. 2026 Jun 9. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001498. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTo survive and thrive, living organisms must monitor and regulate cell-level energy supply, demand,...
Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.4103/aian.aian_109_26. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Wilson's disease (WD) is a systemic copper toxicity disorder, manifesting...
Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.4103/sjkdt.sjkdt_119_22. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is an important health issue all over the...
JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jun 1;9(6):e2617336. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.17336.ABSTRACTIMPORTANCE: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)-a major threat to adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), substantially raising hospitalization and suicidality...
JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jun 1;9(6):e2617466. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.17466.ABSTRACTIMPORTANCE: Prostate cancer often requires frequent in-person clinical visits, imposing substantial travel, financial, and time burdens for patients....
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2026 Jun 9. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00667.2025. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDuring spaceflight, the lack of gravity-induced hydrostatic pressure gradients in the body results...
