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La prescription sociale est une approche structurée qui met en contact des personnes avec des services et des activités communautaires non cliniques dans le but de favoriser leur santé et leur bien-être. Cette approche centrée sur la personne favorise une collaboration intentionnelle entre le secteur de la santé, celui des services sociaux et celui des services communautaires. Elle offre un soutien à l’orientation et la création collaborative de solutions axées sur les champs d’intérêt, les objectifs et les forces de chaque personne et communauté.

Pour en savoir davantage, visitez notre page «  Qu’est-ce que la prescription sociale?  »

La notion de prescription sociale n’est pas récente au Canada. Elle témoigne d’un retour aux modèles sociaux de soins inhérents aux modes de connaissance et de guérison autochtones, qui mettent l’accent sur l’interdépendance et l’importance des liens. Les communautés ont historiquement combiné les interventions médicales et sociales pour prendre en compte les déterminants sociaux de la santé. 

Bien que le concept de « prescription sociale » ait fait son apparition en Angleterre dans les années 1990, il se fonde sur les forces et le travail déjà existants des praticiens et des communautés. Il permet d’uniformiser la terminologie, et d’établir une démarche structurée, des parcours formalisés, et une évaluation intentionnelle. La prescription sociale constitue ainsi un cadre collaboratif favorisant l’amélioration de la santé et du bien-être de la population. Cette approche gagne progressivement en popularité au Canada.

De nombreux facteurs qui influencent notre santé et notre bien-être dépassent la portée des médecins ou des médicaments. Selon l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé, les déterminants sociaux de la santé, tels que le soutien social, la stabilité financière et l’accès aux services, peuvent influencer positivement la santé.

La prescription sociale consiste à orienter les gens vers des ressources communautaires et des réseaux de soutien, ce qui leur permet d’agir sur ces déterminants. En mettant les personnes en contact avec des services de soutien pertinents, tels que ceux concernant l’aide au revenu, le logement, la sécurité alimentaire et l’établissement des nouveaux arrivants, la prescription sociale favorise les soins préventifs et encourage la gestion proactive de la santé et du bien-être, en plus de donner aux personnes les moyens de prendre leur santé en main. On peut ainsi alléger la charge sur le système de santé et réduire la fréquence des consultations et des hospitalisations.

En bref, la prescription sociale est une approche globale des soins de santé qui va au-delà du traitement des symptômes physiques. Elle répond aux besoins sociaux, émotionnels et pratiques des individus, ce qui améliore leur bien-être général.

La prescription sociale peut bénéficier aux individus et aux communautés, en particulier aux personnes isolées socialement, et aux personnes souffrant de problèmes de santé mentale légers, de maladies chroniques ou de difficultés d’accès aux ressources communautaires. Elle est aussi utile pour quiconque veut améliorer son bien-être général.

Au Canada, les initiatives de prescription sociale se concentrent actuellement sur l’accompagnement des personnes âgées, des aidants et des jeunes.

Au Canada, les prescriptions sociales courantes comprennent l’aide au revenu, les services de logement, les programmes alimentaires et nutritionnels, les groupes d’apprentissage et de soutien, les activités artistiques et culturelles, l’aide au vieillissement à domicile, les programmes d’amitié, l’activité physique, le jardinage, le bénévolat et de nombreuses autres ressources adaptées à chaque situation. Les activités sont adaptées aux besoins individuels et aux ressources offertes dans la communauté. 

La prescription sociale ne vise pas à remplacer les médicaments, mais plutôt à s’ajouter aux traitements cliniques en agissant sur les facteurs structurels, sociaux, comportementaux et liés au mode de vie qui influencent la santé. 

La prescription sociale s’ajoute aux services existants plutôt que de les remplacer ou de les concurrencer. En établissant un parcours formalisé pour orienter les clients vers des ressources non cliniques, elle facilite la transition entre les soins cliniques et les ressources communautaires, ce qui renforce la continuité globale des soins.

Dans les milieux où travaillent des professionnels paramédicaux et des services sociaux, comme les travailleurs sociaux ou les navigateurs du système, les initiatives de prescription sociale s’intègrent à l’équipe pour offrir des ressources additionnelles. Cela peut inclure :

• L’accès à un plus grand éventail de ressources grâce à des services et des activités communautaires.
• Un éventail élargi d’interventions sociales.
• L’offre d’un soutien ou d’un accompagnement personnalisé.
• La répartition de la charge de travail liée aux déterminants sociaux de la santé, ce qui permet aux professionnels paramédicaux de se concentrer sur des cas plus complexes ou des interventions spécialisées.

Social prescribing enhances collaboration and efficiency within healthcare teams while improving outcomes for individuals and communities.

La prescription sociale s’ajoute aux services et programmes communautaires existants pour les bonifier. Selon les ressources offertes dans une communauté, les initiatives de prescription sociale peuvent :

• Stimuler la communication entre les patients et les professionnels de la santé en faisant des consultations médicales un point d’entrée pour accéder aux ressources communautaires.
• Renforcer les services d’orientation existants et s’y ajouter en introduisant des compétences standardisées et en fournissant un meilleur soutien global.
• Contribuer à évaluer l’influence des ressources communautaires sur la santé et le bien-être des personnes, et favoriser une planification et des investissements axés sur des données factuelles.

By integrating with existing programs, social prescribing helps create a more connected and effective support system for individuals and communities.

Les évaluations des initiatives de prescription sociale au Canada ont révélé des résultats positifs, notamment une réduction de la solitude, un sentiment accru d’appartenance et une amélioration de la santé mentale. Des données prometteuses émergent également des recherches en ce qui concerne une diminution des consultations pour des soins de santé et une meilleure coordination entre les soins cliniques et les ressources sociales.

L’Institut canadien de prescription sociale (ICPS) et la Campbell Collaboration ont créé une représentation visuelle des données et des lacunes qui offre un aperçu des examens systématiques et de la recherche primaire sur l’efficacité des interventions de prescription sociale. De plus, la National Academy for Social Prescribing en Angleterre a compilé divers documents d’information et guides résumant les preuves existantes.

L’ICPS a également collaboré avec KPMG LLP pour analyser les impacts économiques et sociaux de la prescription sociale au Canada. Selon cette étude, chaque dollar investi dans la prescription sociale pourrait rapporter 4,43 $ à la société par l’amélioration du bien-être et la réduction des coûts des soins de santé et des dépenses publiques.

Bien que les résultats soient encourageants, l’ICPS et ses partenaires canadiens poursuivent la collecte et l’analyse de données sur l’impact, et la collecte de témoignages de personnes et de prestataires. Si vous souhaitez contribuer à la recherche visant à approfondir la compréhension des avantages et de l’efficacité de la prescription sociale au Canada, n’hésitez pas à nous contacter!

Au Canada, il n’y a pas encore de financement public systématique pour la prescription sociale. Les mécanismes de financement varient d’une région à l’autre, ainsi que d’une initiative à l’autre. La majorité des programmes dépendent d’un appui temporaire fourni par des organismes philanthropiques et des subventions gouvernementales. Cependant, certaines régions ont réussi à obtenir des engagements de financement à plus long terme de la part des gouvernements locaux et de divers ministères.

Social prescribing is being embraced by various community and health organizations at provincial and regional levels across Canada. Active initiatives are currently underway in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. You can explore the organizations involved via the Social Prescribing Initiatives Map.

Although these projects and initiatives operate independently, there is a strong effort to collaborate, share knowledge, and exchange resources. This is facilitated through regular communication, Community of Practice meetings, webinars, and conferences.

Social prescribing is being formally implemented in several countries, including the UK, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, the United States, and many others. A global overview can be found in the Social Prescribing Around the World Report 2024. 

There is no single standardized model for social prescribing, either in Canada or globally. While social prescribing initiatives and pathways are tailored to local contexts and communities, there are common components across models. Key principles shared by all social prescribing initiatives include intentional collaboration and a formal pathway between healthcare and community sectors, dedicated connection and navigation support for individuals and communities, a focus on person-centered co-creation of solutions, and structured outcome evaluation.

Currently, there is no single standardized approach to evaluating social prescribing in Canada or elsewhere. However, active efforts are underway to develop more consistent and comprehensive methods for assessing the effectiveness and impact of social prescribing interventions. In the meantime, the National Academy for Social Prescribing offers a valuable set of evaluation resources and tools. 

Social prescribing initiatives typically support regulated healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists, in identifying clients with non-medical, health-related social needs and making referrals to a dedicated social prescribing link worker, connector, or navigator.

While clinical visits often serve as a primary entry point for social support, many social prescribing initiatives also accept and encourage referrals from social service agencies, community organizations, and even client self-referrals.

Healthcare providers, particularly primary care physicians, are often a trusted first point of contact for individuals experiencing health issues. They are well-positioned to identify non-medical needs that impact an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. Research also indicates that referrals from healthcare providers lend credibility to the social prescribing process, which can help increase engagement and uptake of social interventions. 

However, social prescribing is just one tool in addressing the social determinants of health. It leverages healthcare visits as an entry point to identify social needs and helps individuals and communities access community-based supports and services. 

There are also many other programs and services in the community that address broader issues affecting people’s wellbeing. If someone doesn’t have a connection to a healthcare professional or access to social initiatives in their region, they can contact 211 to be connected with local services and supports. 

Social prescribing link workers, also known as community connectors, navigators, coordinators, or other titles, play a vital role in bridging the gap between health and social care. They provide dedicated, tailored, and co-created support to help individuals access the resources and services they need. Link workers help identify individual needs, strengths, interests, and goals, connect individuals to appropriate community resources, offer encouragement, address barriers, and provide supported navigation to social and community services.

Link workers do not typically provide crisis intervention and may refer more complex issues to other allied health professionals.

These roles are usually non-clinical, taken on by people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, and they complement the roles of healthcare and social service providers by offering additional wrap-around support as part of the interprofessional and community care team. 

For more information, see the Canadian Social Prescribing Link Worker Competency Framework.

Social prescribing link workers, connectors, and navigators can be employed by a variety of organizations within both the health and community sectors, depending on the funding and program model of each region. In some cases, they may be employed by primary care networks, family health teams, community health centers, or local health authorities as part of integrated care teams. Link workers may also be employed by community organizations that collaborate with healthcare providers. 

Regardless of the employing organization, link workers must work closely with healthcare providers, community services, and other local partners to deliver effective, person-centered social prescribing services. 

Training for link workers varies by geography and initiative, but generally includes skills such as active listening, equity-based approaches to care, motivational interviewing, and a thorough knowledge of local community resources and services. For more details and links to resources, see the Social Prescribing Link Worker Competency Framework and the Social Prescribing Training Roadmap. 

There are currently no specific qualifications required to become a social prescribing link worker. However, having relevant knowledge, skills, and experiences can greatly enhance your ability to excel in this role. 

If you're interested in understanding the activities and skills of a link worker, the Social Prescribing Link Worker Competency Framework and Training Roadmap are excellent resources to help you get started. 

While CISP serves as a knowledge hub and does not provide direct services or employ link workers, you can explore potential employers through the Social Prescribing Initiatives Map to find organizations hiring for these roles. 

Social prescribing has not yet been systematically implemented across Canada, so access to social prescribing services varies by province and region. Typically, access begins with a referral from a healthcare provider or social service agency, although some programs may allow for self-referrals. You can find out if social prescribing services are available in your area by checking local initiatives. 

If social prescribing services are not yet available in your region, 211 is a helpful referral service that can connect you to available community resources and supports. Additionally, have a conversation with your healthcare provider to raise awareness about the importance of non-medical interventions for your health and ask them to advocate for social prescribing in your community. 

Healthcare professionals and teams interested in incorporating social prescribing into their practice can access a comprehensive guide and practical tools provided by the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP). The CEP's Social Prescribing page offers valuable insights on how to understand, identify, and implement social prescriptions effectively.

The Social Prescribing Training Roadmap provides an overview of core competencies and links to training and resources for healthcare providers and others involved in the social prescribing process.

Additionally, there may be existing social prescribing initiatives in your region. You can explore local programs to get involved and start integrating social prescribing into your care approach.

Community organizations can play a crucial role in social prescribing by partnering with healthcare providers and social prescribing programs to offer services and activities. They also help identify community needs and create new programs to fill service gaps. 

In some regions, community organizations take the lead in implementing social prescribing initiatives, uniting regional partners from the health, social, and community sectors. They contribute by designing collaborative referral pathways and employing social prescribing link workers. 

For more details about the role of community organizations and access to training and resources, explore the Social Prescribing Training Roadmap. 

Yes, healthcare providers can still support patients by connecting them to social and community services, even without a formal social prescribing model in place. Providers can identify patients who may benefit from programs addressing non-medical needs and use tools like 211 to locate local resources and organizations. 

While patients may not receive the comprehensive support typically offered by a link worker or similar role, this approach still helps address their holistic health needs by bridging connections to available community services.

Social prescribing initiatives can be led by community organizations, healthcare teams, health authorities, or other groups with the capacity to anchor and support regional partnerships. The ideal leadership will depend on the local context and the strengths of available partners. 

Several resources are available to guide the design, implementation, and partnership-building of social prescribing programs across diverse geographies and sectors. To access these tools and learn from training resources developed by community and health organizations across Canada, explore the Social Prescribing Training Roadmap. 

Currently, Canada does not have systematic government funding for social prescribing initiatives. However, funding opportunities vary depending on your region and the specifics of your initiative. Potential sources of funding include:

• Public grants
• Research grants
• Philanthropic organizations
• Municipal governments
• Healthcare teams and networks

Exploring local funding landscapes and building partnerships with organizations invested in community health can help secure the resources needed to launch your initiative.

Researchers play a vital role in strengthening the evidence base and advancing the effective implementation and growth of social prescribing. Contributions can include: 

• Program Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and impact of social prescribing initiatives. 
• Theoretical Exploration: Investigating frameworks to better understand outcomes. 
• Addressing Evidence Gaps: Focusing on specific populations, pathways, or under-researched areas. 
• Contextual Analysis: Examining factors affecting implementation and scalability. 
• Improving Best Practices: Informing approaches to enhance program success. 

Collaboration with healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers ensures research is grounded in real-world needs and contributes to evidence-based recommendations for policy and investment. 

If you're a researcher exploring any aspect of social prescribing, we’d  love to hear from you!  

Champions from all sectors and regions play a key role in advancing social prescribing practices to enhance wellbeing. Here are some ways to get involved: 

• Learn and Share: Educate yourself about social prescribing and about initiatives in your area and share this information with healthcare providers, community organizations, policymakers, and others. 
• Advocate: Encourage the integration of social prescribing into local healthcare systems and community networks by reaching out to health authorities, elected officials, or other decision-makers.
• Highlight Success: Share inspiring success stories and evidence of social prescribing's benefits on social media or through community platforms to build awareness and support. 
• Incorporate Social Prescribing Principles: Whether you’re a community provider, healthcare professional, researcher, or student, look for ways to integrate social prescribing into your work or studies. Inspire your colleagues and peers to explore its potential too. 

CISP is primarily a knowledge hub and is not able to provide financial grants to projects or organizations.  

There are several ways to connect and contribute to the work of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing (CISP): 

• Stay Informed: Join our mailing list and follow us on social media to keep up with news, events, and opportunities.
• Students and Volunteers: Explore practicum, internship, and volunteer opportunities by filling out our Student Placement and Volunteer Inquiry Form.  
• Job Opportunities: When positions become available, we post job openings on our social media platforms.