An Evaluation of a Student Allied Health Professions’ Social Prescribing Scheme

Authors

Kirstie A. Goodchild, AHP Social Prescribing Student Champion SchemeFollow
Anya de Iongh, AHP Social Prescribing Student Champion SchemeFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Social prescribing is a core part of healthcare policy within the NHS and requires support and contributions from all healthcare professionals, including Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs). The well-established medical student-led social prescribing student champion scheme (SPSCS) has been expanded to include AHPs, and AHP champions were recruited to deliver peer-led activities focused on social prescribing. This article aimed to evaluate the impact of the scheme's expansion on AHP students. Method: Fourteen AHP champions ran 21 activities that reached 524 students. Those participating in the champion-led activities were asked to complete pre- and post-session surveys to capture the impact of the sessions on their awareness of, knowledge of, and confidence with clinically applying social prescribing. Participants also rated the opportunity for multi-disciplinary interaction and overall experience of the champion led activities. Results: It was found that participant’s post-session scores for awareness, understanding and confidence were higher than post-session scores. Further, post-session survey results showed that participants enjoyed and felt they had been able to experience multi-disciplinary interaction at events. Conclusions: In summary, the evaluation of the AHP SPSCS highlights the value of student-led peer teaching in helping to raise awareness and understanding about social prescribing for AHP students, whilst acknowledging the need to expand the scheme’s reach in the future.

Author Bio(s)

Kirstie A. Goodchild, BA, is an occupational therapy postgraduate student at the University of East Anglia and is the Allied Health Professions Co-ordinator for the 2022-23 Social Prescribing Student Champion Scheme.

Anya de Iongh, BA, MSc, is an occupational therapist and previous Allied Health Professions Lead for the Social Prescribing Student Champion Scheme.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements: With thanks to all the students who took part as champions in this scheme, the students who attended their teaching sessions, our AHP colleagues and the medical students leading the medical student branch of the scheme for their support in establishing the AHP scheme.

Recommended Citation

Goodchild KA, de Iongh A. An Evaluation of a Student Allied Health Professions’ Social Prescribing Scheme. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2023 Dec 15;22(1), Article 19.