Oct 2023
Social Prescribing
Introduction
Social prescribing is a practical way for health professionals to address social determinants of health. It expands the options available in primary care and connects people to a wide range of non-clinical services in the community to improve their health and well-being. This resource is designed to support health professionals working in the primary care sector to implement social prescribing into their practice.
To accompany the resource, a 30 minute online training module (short registration required) with case studies is available to support implementation and enhance the learning experience.
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Information
About the tool
The Social Prescribing resource equips health professionals with practical tips, talking points and tangible next steps to support them in integrating social prescribing into their practice, regardless of their practice model. This resource draws from the best-available evidence and guidance on social prescribing. The CEP is committed to continuing to build out this resource further as the evidence base around social prescribing grows.
Social Prescribing: A Resource for Health Professionals was developed by the Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) in collaboration with the Alliance for Healthier Communities, the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing and the Academic Family Health Team at Unity Health Toronto. Clinical leadership of the resource was provided by Dr. Dominik Nowak.
Clinical leads
Dominik Nowak
MD, MHSC, CCFP, CHE
Dr. Dominik Nowak is a community family doctor and health systems leader. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Nowak’s mission is to build teamwork across the health system. Dr. Nowak trained at McMaster University, where he specialized in family medicine and served as chief resident. He went on to finish a Master of Health Administration at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, and holds a Certified Health Executive designation by the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Dr. Nowak is currently a faculty member at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is a recipient of the College of Family Physicians of Canada Award of Excellence for his leadership in Canadian healthcare.
Dr. Nowak provided clinical leadership for the development of the social prescribing topic and was offered compensation for his role.
Topic Expert Group
- Allison Hewitt, RN, GNC(c)
- Donald C. Cole, MD, MSc, DOHS, FRCP
- Gary Bloch, MD, CCFP
- Janet Rodriguez, Lived Experience Advisor
- Lara Kent, MD, CCFP, FCFP
- Margo Reilly
- Mike Creek, Lived Experience Advisor
- Natasha Beaudin, BFA
- Pauline Pariser, MD, MASc, CCFP, FCFP
- Sonia Hsiung, B.Eng, MTSD
- Sofia Ramirez, KTPC
Topic Expert Group members were offered an honorarium for their participation. Thank you to all our members for their work!
Conflict of Interest
Usability participants received a token of appreciation (e.g., gift certificate).