On Social Prescribing Day the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has called on government and health providers to boost social prescribing in Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Social prescribing involves health professionals, including GPs, supporting patients to consider and take up non-medical activities to supplement other types of care and treatment, such as joining a community group or trying a new hobby.
The chair of the College's Specific Interest Group for Social Prescribing, which commenced in 2022, and Kirra-based GP, Dr Kuljit Singh, said that social prescribing is beneficial for many patients.
"Many GPs across Australia are embracing social prescribing because it delivers positive health outcomes and helps people improve self-care," she said.
"Key risks factors for poor health, including chronic illness and mental health issues, include social isolation, a lack of activity, and a lack of connection with others. One study found that lacking social connection is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
"Social prescribing is valuable for many patients living in rural and remote areas, especially when you consider demographic factors at play. We know that communities outside of major cities have a higher percentage of older people, who can be more likely to experience social isolation. Studies show that factors such as geographic isolation, limited access to health and social services, and a lack of transport mean that rural older adults often lack social support and experience more loneliness. This results in them being at higher risk of health issues and more reliant on health services, which may be more limited than if they lived in a city.
"As a GP, I've seen many older patients experiencing social isolation and the impact that this has on their health and sense of wellbeing. This is even more pronounced in aged care facilities, where I've seen some people staying in their own room for weeks or even months with minimal social contact. So, I encourage health providers, including GPs to add social prescribing to their tool kit if they haven't already.
"GPs are well-placed to identify the best local social prescribing options, such as community groups and other resources, and they can even implement programs in their own clinic if they have the space, or start a virtual program. An example might be an online instructed activity such as yoga that people can do from their own homes."
Dr Singh said that with greater support and collaboration, social prescribing could have an even larger impact.
"The College has previously urged government to help address the nation's mental health crisis by implementing a national social prescribing scheme," she said.
"If we had a nationally coordinated approach, we could do even more to ease pressure on our entire healthcare system, including our hospitals, and help keep patients happy and healthy in their communities. This is a conversation we're keen to continue having with government because whilst many GPs are doing a great job encouraging the take-up of social prescribing, a formal structure featuring links with GPs to other health professionals and community groups could accelerate social prescribing nation-wide."
RACGP Rural Chair and Townsville-based GP, Associate Professor Michael Clements, backed Dr Singh's calls.
"Social prescribing is a vital tool for GPs and practice teams in rural and remote communities," he said.
"We know that people living outside of metro areas experience poorer health outcomes. This includes higher rates of chronic disease including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and lung conditions. They face greater barriers accessing healthcare, including other specialist services such as psychologists and psychiatrists. So, it's hardly surprising that potentially preventable hospitals are higher compared to major cities.
"This is why social prescribing can have a profound impact in the bush. While the College remains committed to addressing health inequities impacting rural and remote communities, we can't click our fingers and solve these issues over-night. What we can do is connect rural and remote patients to non-clinical, community-based group activities to not only help patients presenting with health conditions but also enhance preventative care efforts.
"Social prescribing reduces GP and hospital emergency department visits by about 20 per cent and decreases the risk of many health conditions, including chronic disease, worsening; hence relieving pressure on the entire healthcare system. There is no one size fits all option, it could be nature-based, a physical activity like a sporting club, or a cultural hub, and an added benefit is that it builds community resilience and cohesion – so everyone wins."
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