Establishing internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing through expert consensus: a Delphi study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to establish internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing.Design A three-round Delphi study was conducted.Setting This study was conducted virtually using an online survey platform.Participants This study involved an international, multidisciplinary panel of experts. The expert panel (n=48) represented 26 countries across five continents, numerous expert groups and a variety of years of experience with social prescribing, with the average being 5 years (range=1–20 years).Results After three rounds, internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing were established. The definitions were transformed into the Common Understanding of Social Prescribing (CUSP) conceptual framework.Conclusion This foundational work offers a common thread—a shared sense of what social prescribing is, which may be woven into social prescribing research, policy and practice to foster common understanding of this concept.