Abstract/Resumo
Introduction: The increasing health disparities underscore the importance of preventive inter-
ventions, where social prescription (SP) emerges as a comprehensive intervention for physical, men-
tal, and social health.
Objective: Identify the application procedures, types of interventions, and results of SP studied in
the literature between 2019 and 2023.
Materials and methods: In this systematic review, the inclusion criteria consisted of samples of
adults with any medical condition, studies available in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and those
describing the direct impact of an SP intervention on clients. The investigation period was from
July 12 to September 1, 2023, and the databases used were Academic Search Complete, Web of
Science, PubMed, and Scopus.
Results: Eight articles involving 352 participants (SD=442.648) were selected. We identified stu-
dies of a qualitative (37.5%), quantitative (37.5%), and mixed (25%) nature. Qualitative studies
analyzed the experiences and perceptions of clients and liaison workers regarding the SP interven-
tion, while quantitative studies assessed the effects of SP on variables such as mental and physi-
cal health, and social well-being. Mixed studies analyzed physical health, identification, and social
belonging. We identified wide-ranging benefits, including improvements in mental and physical
health, self-determination, autonomy, and social well-being.
Conclusions: SP has demonstrated the potential to improve health and well-being individually and
systemically, thereby increasing the efficiency of healthcare services. However, adaptation to indi-
vidual needs and the effective integration of healthcare and community support are essential. The
limitations suggest the need for future research addressing additional criteria.
English
