Moore, Coco ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7379-3556, Unwin, Peter
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1985-1959, Evans, Nick and Howie, Frances
(2023)
‘Winging it’: An exploration of the self-perceived professional identity of social prescribing link workers.
Health and Social Care in the Community.
Article ID 8488615.
ISSN Online: 1365-2524
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Abstract
The practice of social prescribing (SP) has been rapidly expanding throughout the UK in recent years. The role of SP link workers (SPLWs) currently has no nationally prescribed requirements in terms of qualifications, background or experience. This qualitative study of 13 SPLWs using semi-structured interviews is believed to be the first exploration of perceptions of their professional identity and the agency and structure within their roles. SPLWs reported feeling caught between biomedical and biopsychosocial models of health. Some identified with clinical healthcare teams, whilst others preferred non-medical and community-based identities. SPLWs valued professional flexibility and freedom, though were concerned this was becoming increasingly restricted. They reported filling gaps in the health system and absorbing more risk and complexity than they believed was reflected in their training or pay. Despite this, SPLWs demonstrated consistent core values of person-centredness, holistic practice and a strength-based approach. A more consistent approach to professional identity is recommended as a way forward for SP.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | Copyright © 2023 Coco Moore et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: | public health, professional identity, social prescribing |
Divisions: | College of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences > School of Allied Health and Community College of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences > School of Nursing and Midwifery College of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences > School of Science and the Environment |
Related URLs: | |
Copyright Info: | Open Access article |
Depositing User: | Coco Moore |
Date Deposited: | 31 Jul 2023 08:45 |
Last Modified: | 31 Jul 2023 08:45 |
URI: | https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13124 |
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