Qualitative interview study reveals core skills and training gaps in social prescribers, highlighting the need for standardized workforce development and mental health preparation.
Key Points
To explore social prescribers' perspectives on the core skills and experiences essential for their practice and examine how diverse professional backgrounds shape their roles.
Conducted semi-structured online qualitative interviews with social prescribers across multiple healthcare settings and organizations in the North West of England.
Analyzed interview transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis.
Identified four overarching themes: role boundaries and professional diversity, skills shaping effective practice, systemic barriers in health and social care, and perceptions of training needs.
Practitioners highlighted resilience, adaptability, and time management as essential competencies, whereas inadequate mental health training lowered preparedness and confidence.