In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim continue their conversation with Jo Winwood, focusing on social prescribing, aged care, and early intervention in primary care.

Providing a clear explanation of social prescribing, its origins in the UK, and how it relates to the broader concept of holistic, person-centred care. 

Key Points:

• Social Prescribing Defined: Social prescribing involves structured conversations with patients to identify what matters to them, what may be missing from their lives, and addressing social determinants of health as part of a broader care plan.
• Integration into Practice: The growing formalisation of social prescribing in Australian general practice, including references in care planning and including holistic, lifestyle-based factors in templates and patient reviews.
• Person-Centred Approach: Highlighting patient-driven goal setting, with examples showing that patients’ concerns often lie outside of clinical conditions and may relate more to isolation, loneliness, or lack of purpose.
• Practical Examples: Real-world examples of social prescriptions such as community gardening, cooking classes, and activities like Parkrun, which foster social connection and improve wellbeing.
• Self-care for Health Professionals: Encouraging practice staff to reflect on their own social connections and wellbeing, and the value of walking the talk to better understand and promote social prescribing benefits.
• Actionable Advice: Jo suggests individuals and practitioners undertake a personal stocktake to identify what matters most and what may be missing in their own lives, and to use this as a starting point.

Medicubes is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

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