Social prescribing for socially isolated older adults in rural Japan: a qualitative case study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Social prescribing (SP) has not yet been officially introduced in Japan. This qualitative case study aimed to identify the challenges and facilitating factors in the implementation of SP among the socially isolated older population in Akita Prefecture, Japan, based on the perspectives of general practitioners (GP), link workers (LW), and patients.

Method

We conducted a qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews and Braun & Clarke-informed thematic analysis in seven medical districts in Akita, Japan, with GP (n = 7), LW (n = 10), and older patients (n = 4).

Results

Participants (GP and LW) emphasized that SP needed to be tailored to individual needs and that LW played a vital role as social resources in sparsely populated

SUBMITTER: Ota N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571642 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature