Abstract
BackgroundThe concept of digital social prescription usually refers to social prescriptions that are facilitated by using technology. Tools that enable such digital social prescriptions may be beneficial in recommending nonmedical activities to people with mental illness. As these tools are still somewhat novel and emerging, little is known about their potential advantages and disadvantages.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to identify the potential opportunities and challenges that may arise from digital social prescriptions.MethodsWe developed a qualitative questionnaire that was disseminated through social media (Facebook and Twitter). A purposive sample targeting digital mental health experts and nonexperts was approached. The questionnaire asked participants’ views about digital social prescription; the core elements linked with a definition of digital social prescription; and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with digital social prescription.ResultsFour core elements were recommended to define the concept of digital social prescription: digital, facilitate, user, and social. The main strength identified was the possibility to rapidly start using digital social prescription tools, which were perceived as cost-effective. The main weaknesses were their poor adherence and difficulties with using such tools. The main opportunities were an increased access to social prescription services and the prevention of serious mental illness. The main threats were certain groups being disadvantaged, patients being subject to unintended negative consequences, and issues relating to confidentiality and data protection.ConclusionsAlthough digital social prescriptions may be able to effectively augment the social prescriptions, a careful consideration of practical challenges and data ethics is imperative in the design and implementation of such technologies.
Highlights
BackgroundThe idea of health care professionals prescribing activities to their patients has been around since the 1990s when contemporary exercise referral schemes were first created [1]
Instrument The questionnaire started with a short introduction of digital social prescriptions, including a diagram on how it might work in practice
Expert and nonexpert participants were asked to provide a definition of digital social prescriptions
Summary
BackgroundThe idea of health care professionals prescribing activities to their patients has been around since the 1990s when contemporary exercise referral schemes were first created [1]. The term social prescription has since been defined as “a means of enabling general practitioners (GPs) and other frontline health care professionals to refer people to ‘services’ in the community instead of offering only medical solutions” [2]. The concept of digital social prescription usually refers to social prescriptions that are facilitated by using technology. Tools that enable such digital social prescriptions may be beneficial in recommending nonmedical activities to people with mental illness. As these tools are still somewhat novel and emerging, little is known about their potential advantages and disadvantages. Conclusions: digital social prescriptions may be able to effectively augment the social prescriptions, a careful consideration of practical challenges and data ethics is imperative in the design and implementation of such technologies
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