Prescriptions for Connection—Social Prescribing for Older People in Australia: Protocol for a Feasibility Study

Background: Older people are living longer with unmet social needs that impact their health and wellbeing. Social prescribing programs connect individuals with nonclinical services to address these needs. While international programs have shown benefits for quality of life, health and healthcare utilisation, social prescribing research in Australia is limited. 

Objective: This study aims to design, implement and evaluate a social prescribing program to address the unmet social needs of older adults in Adelaide, South Australia. 

Research Design and Methods: This observational feasibility study will use a multiphase mixed methods process and outcomes evaluation. Prescriptions for Connection, a social prescribing program, will be co-designed and implemented in six primary care practices and three council areas. Implementation outcomes will be evaluated using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance Framework. Qualitative data collection, via focus groups for health and social care providers and interviews for older people, will be based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to explore barriers and facilitators, and explain outcomes. 

Conclusion: This study will provide novel evidence on the process, outcomes and feasibility of the Prescriptions for Connection program. Scalability, sustainability and modifications to the program will be explored for testing in a larger hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. 

Patient or Public Contribution: Older adults will participate in codesign workshops and provide feedback on the Prescriptions for Connection program. Community members will be recruited as volunteer community connectors to link older people to social activities. The national peak body for older Australians will be represented on the steering group. 

Trial Registration: ACTRN12625000664448.