Social prescribing services for patients with musculoskeletal conditions compared with other long-term health conditions in the UK: a cross-sectional study
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Gao, Qian
Daisy, Fancourt
Andrew, Steptoe
Feifei, Bu
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction To examine the profile of social prescribing (SP) services for patients with LTCs and the extent to which equality and benefits of SP services to musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) patients and those with other long-term conditions (LTCs).
Methods This study used routine data from Access Elemental (2017-2022), the most widely used SP software platform in the UK. Our analytical sample was restricted to 4,943 patients with LTCs. We used heat maps to map process information about SP services and conducted logistic regression analyses.
Results The top reason for SP referrals for MSK patients was pain management, while for other LTCs it was to promote nutrition and diet, support emotional wellbeing, and increase social connectedness and support. However, the top interventions for managing MSK were similar to those prescribed for patients with all other LTCs, targeting activities around promoting diet and nutrition, mental health, physical activity, specific illness support, social connectedness and support. We found that compared with people with no MSK conditions and being referred via non-medical routes, those living with MSK and patients who received referrals from medical centres had lower odds of receiving SP services and having their needs met. Patients living in less deprived areas are more likely to receive SP and have needs satisfied than those from more deprived neighbourhoods.
Conclusions SP services do appear to be reaching some patients with MSK conditions, but they are less likely than other LTC patients to receive referrals or have their needs met. This suggests that specialist guidance around supporting MSK patient needs through SP is warranted. Further research is also needed to identify whether the broad types of interventions being prescribed to MSK patients actually meet their initial most common referral need of pain management.
Methods This study used routine data from Access Elemental (2017-2022), the most widely used SP software platform in the UK. Our analytical sample was restricted to 4,943 patients with LTCs. We used heat maps to map process information about SP services and conducted logistic regression analyses.
Results The top reason for SP referrals for MSK patients was pain management, while for other LTCs it was to promote nutrition and diet, support emotional wellbeing, and increase social connectedness and support. However, the top interventions for managing MSK were similar to those prescribed for patients with all other LTCs, targeting activities around promoting diet and nutrition, mental health, physical activity, specific illness support, social connectedness and support. We found that compared with people with no MSK conditions and being referred via non-medical routes, those living with MSK and patients who received referrals from medical centres had lower odds of receiving SP services and having their needs met. Patients living in less deprived areas are more likely to receive SP and have needs satisfied than those from more deprived neighbourhoods.
Conclusions SP services do appear to be reaching some patients with MSK conditions, but they are less likely than other LTC patients to receive referrals or have their needs met. This suggests that specialist guidance around supporting MSK patient needs through SP is warranted. Further research is also needed to identify whether the broad types of interventions being prescribed to MSK patients actually meet their initial most common referral need of pain management.
Date Acceptance
2025-09-08
Citation
BMJ Public Health
ISSN
2753-4294
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Public Health
Copyright Statement
Subject to copyright. This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the Version of Record (VoR) will be available on immediate open access.
Publication Status
Accepted