Establishing internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing through expert consensus: a Delphi study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing.

Design: A three-round Delphi study was conducted.

Setting: This study was conducted virtually using an online survey platform.

Participants: This study involved an international, multidisciplinary panel of experts. The expert panel (n=48) represented 26 countries across five continents, numerous expert groups and a variety of years of experience with social prescribing, with the average being 5 years (range=1-20 years).

Results: After three rounds, internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing were established. The definitions were transformed into the Common Understanding of Social Prescribing (CUSP) conceptual framework.

Conclusion: This foundational work offers a common thread-a shared sense of what social prescribing is, which may be woven into social prescribing research, policy and practice to foster common understanding of this concept.

Keywords: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PUBLIC HEALTH; SOCIAL MEDICINE.