Exploring perceptions and experiences of social prescribing for adults with chronic kidney disease: a qualitative interview study in the UK
Anna Wilson, Helen Noble, Julie DohertyObjective
Social prescribing aims to link people to support and services available within their local communities to address social determinants of health and well-being. However, there is limited qualitative evidence exploring how adults with chronic kidney disease, including transplantation, engage with this approach. This study aimed to explore knowledge, perceptions and experience of social prescribing among this patient population and key stakeholders.
Design
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, with an interview schedule guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke.
Setting
Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams or in person.
Participants
Participants included people living with chronic kidney disease (n=10), renal healthcare professionals (n=11), social prescribers or link workers (n=9) and representatives from organisations providing socially prescribed activities or services (n=9).
Results
Three themes and 10 subthemes were generated from the data: (1) understanding and perceptions of social prescribing, (2) pathways to social prescribing and (3) supporting engagement with social prescribing. Findings reveal the potential of social prescribing to support a holistic approach to care alongside barriers related to awareness, access and integration within kidney care.
Conclusion
This study highlights facilitators and barriers to engaging with social prescribing for adults with chronic kidney disease and key stakeholders. Improving awareness, access and training across healthcare and community sectors is essential to enable effective support. Integrating social prescribing within kidney care offers opportunities to address unmet psychosocial needs through collaborative, person-centred approaches. Future research should focus on development and evaluation of implementation strategies to embed social prescribing sustainably and equitably across kidney support services.