How can referrals from primary care to a golf on prescription scheme be implemented?

Problem

Physical inactivity is associated with 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and costs the economy £7.4billion per year. Golf can help alleviate this burden due to the mental, physical and social benefits associated with the sport. Social prescribing from primary care services to a free programme called Golf for Health could help those who might not usually be active take up a new sport and reap the associated benefits. Golf for Health is an 8-week programme, for individuals who are new to golf and not currently meeting physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. The aim of this work was to develop and evaluate this social prescribing scheme, connecting patients from primary care services to golf for health.

Approach

Using co-design seven potential connection pathways or means to implement the social prescribing scheme from primary care to Golf for Health were identified in Phase 1. In Phase 2 GP practices and other primary care or community services implemented the pathways identified. Four of the seven pathways were most commonly selected. The Golf for Health programme ran at a total of four golf clubs across Fife. Evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of these pathways and process was conducted. Brief evaluation of the Golf for Health programme was also conducted. Methods included online surveys, interviews and focus groups with Golf club providers, GP practice staff, community link workers and programme participants. Data was analysed thematically.

Findings

Initial results from the evaluation of Phase 2 are positive with those completing Golf for Health thoroughly enjoying the programme and emphasising the positive impact on mental and physical health, indicating that Golf for Health gave them time away from the other pressures of life.

“I thought it would be good to do something that was a total switch off because I suffer from high anxiety and severe depression, and I’m very busy at work, and I’d have never thought of golf before… but it gave me an hour to myself.”

GP staff found “using clinical staff time to promote the programme” a key barrier but agreed the programme could be beneficial and was worthwhile, especially after the COVID 19 pandemic.

“It seemed a good scheme and useful to have available for patients. Too many patients have got sedentary and isolated during lockdown.”

Consequences

To overcome this barrier around time constraints, self-referral and relying more on other practice staff or community services to make the connections was recommended. In addition other services were suggested as potential means for referral including a weight management service and diabetes service. Further research is required to continue the development and evaluation of the social prescribing scheme, ensuring those who can benefit most feel confident and are encouraged to participate.