Understanding the potential role of Social Prescribing Link Workers in supporting identified needs of people with physical and mental long-term conditions: a qualitative study

The Social Prescribing Link Worker (SPLW) approach is a means for supporting individuals and communities with diverse needs, with its reach and impact widely recognised in health and community systems. However, SPLW support for people with long-term physical and mental health conditions (P + MH LTCs) has been variable and there are knowledge gaps such as unheard voices of those with a varied engagement in SPLW support. We undertook a study to better understand the potential relevance of SPLW support for addressing the needs of individuals with P + MH LTCs. Its aim was to explore a range of health and psychosocial needs of people living with P + MH LTCs and to examine perspectives on how the SPLW role supports the complex needs of this group. A qualitative study utilising one-to-one semi-structured interviews with community dwelling adults (aged ≥ 18 years old) living with P + MH LTCs with diverse socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Research was informed by a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group for meaningful and inclusive research activities, and qualitative data were analysed using a Framework Method. Analysis revealed five themes and sixteen sub-themes that collectively demonstrate the complex and shifting experience of living with P + MH LTCs. This population dealt with competing multi-layered needs, and felt that the potential role of SPLW support to mitigate some of the unmet demands of this group was not effectively carried out in practice. This meant that potential benefits were often missed. Our findings demonstrate that this population is experiencing a substantial impact on health and wellbeing, and that there is an urgent need for integrated health and care systems that are complemented by consistent, coordinated and skilled SPLW support. Lessons learnt in this research provide new evidence and suggest directions for further research.