A social prescribing program in England improved anxiety and quality of life among primary care patients with psychosocial needs. 

Background 

Many patients engaging with their primary care provider share they have a psychosocial problem, such as anxiety, that impacts their health. Social prescribing offers a way to connect patients with community-based organizations through referral facilitation. This foundational, randomized control trial compared differences in total care costs and feelings of anxiety, depression, and social support between two groups — one group receiving routine primary care and one group receiving routine care and referrals to the Amalthea Project, a social prescribing program based in England.  

Findings  

During the study period, 161 adults across 26 participating clinics in Avon were randomized to either the Almalthea Project (n=90) or routine care (n=71) groups. Individuals in the Almalthea Project group were referred to various organizations to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. Participants completed assessments at baseline and at one and four months following to assess feelings of psychological and physical well-being. Compared with usual care, the Almalthea Project group showed significantly greater improvements in anxiety, quality of life, perceptions of health, and ability to complete daily activities. Care costs were £20 more for the intervention group, as the referral partner’s time was included in the total cost of care.  

Program/Policy Takeaways 

Social prescribing referrals for primary care patients with psychosocial needs may improve anxiety, quality of life, and daily functioning. Health care providers and policymakers can consider social prescribing to expand access to non-clinical supports that can address these needs.