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Contextual factors and programme theories associated with implementing blue prescription programmes: a systematic realist review.

Alejandre, Julius Cesar; Chastin, Sebastien; Irvine, Katherine N.; Pfleger, Sharon

Authors

Julius Cesar Alejandre

Sebastien Chastin

Katherine N. Irvine

Sharon Pfleger



Abstract

Nature-based social prescribing such as "blue prescription" promotes public health and health improvement of individuals with long-term health conditions. However, there is limited evidence explaining the relationship of contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of implementing blue prescription programmes (BPPs) in health and social care settings that could inform policy and practice. We conducted a systematic realist review by searching PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, Scopus, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for articles published in English between January 2000 and June 2022 about health and social care professionals providing referral to or prescription of blue space activities (e.g., swimming, fishing, surfing, etc.) with health-related outcomes. Components and descriptions of BPP implementation were extracted and used to develop themes of contextual factors used to develop programme theories and a logic model demonstrating the mechanisms of BPP implementation. Sixteen studies with adequate to strong quality were included from 8,619 records. After participating in BPPs referred to or prescribed by health and social care professionals, service users had improvements in their physical, cognitive (mental), social health, and proenvironmental knowledge. Service user-related contextual factors were referral information, free equipment, transportation, social support, blue space environments, and skills of service providers. Programme-related contextual factors were communication, multistakeholder collaboration, financing, and adequate service providers. Programme theories on service user enrolment, engagement, adherence, communication protocols, and programme sustainability explain the mechanisms of BPP implementation. BPPs could promote health and wellbeing if contextual factors and programme theories associated with service users' characteristics and programme delivery are considered in the design, delivery, and evaluation of BPPs. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020170660).

Citation

ALEJANDRE, J.C., CHASTIN, S., IRVINE, K.N. et al. 2023. Contextual factors and programme theories associated with implementing blue prescription programmes: a systematic realist review. Health and social care in the community [online], 2023, article ID 6551521. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6551521

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 3, 2023
Online Publication Date Apr 5, 2023
Publication Date Dec 31, 2023
Deposit Date May 1, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Health and social care in the community
Print ISSN 0966-0410
Electronic ISSN 1365-2524
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2023
Article Number 6551521
DOI https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6551521
Keywords Blue prescription programmes (BPPs); Long-term health conditions; Nature-based social prescribing
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1940763

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