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Background <p>Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a public health issue, with social prescribing gaining global interest as a useful approach to address social needs by connecting patients to non-medical community resources. Occupational therapists have previously been recognized as well suited for social prescribing initiatives, yet their role remains underexplored.</p> Aim <p>This study aims to explore occupational therapists’ experiences of a social prescribing model as well as the professions’ role in applying it in Swedish primary care to alleviate loneliness among older adults.</p> Material and Methods <p>Semi-structured individual interviews with 10 occupational therapists were conducted digitally. The data analysis was guided by reflexive thematic analysis.</p> Results <p>The social prescribing model was perceived as potentially valuable to address loneliness among older adults in primary care. While occupational therapists felt that their professional expertise positioned them well to contribute to the approach, they also identified important constraints that limited their capacity in their role as social prescribers.</p> Conclusion/Significance <p>To realize the social prescribing model’s potential in Swedish primary care, the complexity of loneliness and social activities must be acknowledged. Efforts are also needed to lower thresholds for social participation, and fostering collaboration across organizational and professional boundaries.</p>

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Occupational Therapists as Social Prescribers: Insights from Swedish Primary Care

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Emilia W.E. Viklund,
  • Frida Degerstedt,
  • Frida Jonsson,
  • Anna Sofia Lundgren,
  • Ingeborg Nilsson

摘要

Background

Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a public health issue, with social prescribing gaining global interest as a useful approach to address social needs by connecting patients to non-medical community resources. Occupational therapists have previously been recognized as well suited for social prescribing initiatives, yet their role remains underexplored.

Aim

This study aims to explore occupational therapists’ experiences of a social prescribing model as well as the professions’ role in applying it in Swedish primary care to alleviate loneliness among older adults.

Material and Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews with 10 occupational therapists were conducted digitally. The data analysis was guided by reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The social prescribing model was perceived as potentially valuable to address loneliness among older adults in primary care. While occupational therapists felt that their professional expertise positioned them well to contribute to the approach, they also identified important constraints that limited their capacity in their role as social prescribers.

Conclusion/Significance

To realize the social prescribing model’s potential in Swedish primary care, the complexity of loneliness and social activities must be acknowledged. Efforts are also needed to lower thresholds for social participation, and fostering collaboration across organizational and professional boundaries.