Let’s Try Social Prescribing in Sweden (SPiS) – an Interventional Project Targeting Loneliness among Older Adults Using a Model for Integrated Care: A Research Protocol

Erika Johansson; Frida Jonsson; Emil Rapo; Anna-Sofia Lundgren; Åsa Hörnsten; Ingeborg Nilsson

doi:10.5334/ijic.5609

Let’s Try Social Prescribing in Sweden (SPiS) – an Interventional Project Targeting Loneliness among Older Adults Using a Model for Integrated Care: A Research Protocol

International Journal of Integrated Care

Volume 21 (2021): Issue 2

By: Erika Johansson , Frida Jonsson , Emil Rapo, Anna-Sofia Lundgren , Åsa Hörnsten and Ingeborg Nilsson

Open Access

|Jun 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Loneliness and social isolation among older adults (≥65) are an emerging issue of public concern, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Today there is no systematic intervention developed, implemented or evaluated in Sweden addressing loneliness. The overall aim for this project is to develop, test and refine a person-centred Swedish model for social prescribing (SPiS), and to assess whether and how it reduces loneliness, promotes health and improves well-being among older adults.

Description: The focus will be to develop, culturally adapt, evaluate and refine the SPiS model. Following the sequential structure of realist evaluation in three consecutive phases qualitative and quantitative data along with subsequent analysis methods will be collected and utilized. The project will provide knowledge of what works with the social prescribing model, for whom, in what conditions and why, in relation to loneliness, health and well-being among older adults.

Discussion: SPiS has the unique position of providing initial knowledge regarding how to reduce loneliness in the Swedish context. However, evaluation is complex as this research goes beyond the unidimensional question “Is it working?”.

Conclusion: Developing, implementing and evaluating such a complex program needs systematic and close evaluation.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.5609 | Journal eISSN: 1568-4156

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Language: English

Submitted on: Sep 4, 2020

Accepted on: Feb 23, 2021

Published on: Jun 22, 2021

Published by: Ubiquity Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

social prescribing,

loneliness,

social participation,

integrated care,

complex intervention,

realist evaluation

© 2021 Erika Johansson, Frida Jonsson, Emil Rapo, Anna-Sofia Lundgren, Åsa Hörnsten, Ingeborg Nilsson, published by Ubiquity Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 21 (2021): Issue 2