European research on social prescribing – the SP-EU study
Stephanie Tierney is a co-applicant and qualitative workstream lead for a study called Social Prescribing Europe (SP-EU). Debra Westlake is a researcher on the project responsible for the qualitative interviews and analysis. Both are also involved in the study’s process evaluation and training of link workers employed to work in the study. Here they describe the study’s aims and how it is progressing.
The SP-EU study is an ambitious project funded through Horizon Europe. It is comparing social prescribing across European countries that are at different stages of implementation. In particular, it is exploring how social prescribing can improve access to health and care services for people in three key groups: LGBTIQ+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual, aromantic or agender), refugees and first-generation migrants, and older adults (≥65 years) living alone.
Workstreams
The study is structured around several complementary workstreams:
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co-creating tailored social prescribing models with people who have lived experience in the three groups listed above
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testing the effectiveness of these models in a large trial across eight European countries: comparing the benefits for those who receive social prescribing or care as usual as part of a randomised controlled trial
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qualitative research in five countries, examining what helps or hinders implementation
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sharing the findings and translating them into practical policy action
This blog focuses on the qualitative workstream, process evaluation and training led by a team of researchers in England.
The qualitative workstream: first steps
The qualitative study brings together five European countries: Austria, England, Germany, Poland, and Portugal. Some, like England, have well-established social prescribing systems, while others, such as Germany, are still in the very early stages of its delivery. Researchers in each country are interviewing key stakeholders (see below) to understand what helps or hinders access to social prescribing in their local contexts. These insights will then be compared across countries through a cross-country analysis.
Researchers in each country will be interviewing around 20 individuals from a range of backgrounds (e.g. link workers, managers, key decision makers, recipients of social prescribing). In England, five interviews have been completed so far, with national leaders, local commissioners, link workers working with older people and their managers. This is already giving us a good picture of what people believe is supporting accessible social prescribing and what could be threats to this. Details of the qualitative workstream can be found in the protocol we have published on it.
Sharing learning and working together
In preparation for the data collection phase, the qualitative team has been meeting regularly across participating countries through a series of formal Sprint meetings and informal weekly drop-in sessions (‘coffee time catch ups’). These will provide space for researchers to share reflections on their early interview experiences and discuss challenges. This combination of formal and informal support is intended to foster shared learning and collaborative team working.
Process evaluation and training programme
The team from England are also leading the process evaluation and training, which is part of a randomised controlled trial in which patients receive either social prescribing or care as usual at ten care hubs in eight European countries. Link workers appointed to work in these hubs will undertake online training developed by the research team from England on social prescribing, clinical trials and other aspects of the programme.
Process evaluation looks at how an intervention is delivered in practice, not just whether it works. It helps us to understand what was implemented, how it was experienced, and which factors supported or hindered delivery in real-world settings.
The process evaluation for SP-EU will explore how social prescribing is implemented across different countries and contexts, how participants and providers experience it, and why it works better in some settings than others. Together, this will help to ensure that the trial findings are meaningful, transferable, and useful for practice and policy.
Coming together with other countries and workstreams
We will be meeting with researchers across the European countries involved in mid-February in Germany. Bringing the team together face-to-face will be a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships, reflect on progress, and continue building a collaborative and supportive research environment.
SP-EU is funded by the European Union (101155873). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.