SOCIAL prescribing could be used to counter Australia's rising chronic health problems, a report from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Consumers' Health Forum of Australia (CHF) says.
The Social Prescribing report backed the "prescribing" of non-medical activities ranging from health and fitness programs to movie clubs and meditation, to improve patient outcomes.
RACGP President, Dr Harry Nespolon, said international evidence showed the benefits social prescribing can deliver.
"We've seen this approach used successfully internationally, such as in the United Kingdom and promising trials in Canada and Singapore -- it could help shift the balance to focus to prevention and early intervention for patients," he said.
"With the huge challenges we face regarding rising chronic illness, mental health issues, isolation and loneliness and the resulting costs, we urgently need to consider our approach to healthcare in Australia -- social prescribing offers an innovative solution."
A survey of 200 patients showed 88% supported the idea, but 57% reported that their GP never discussed how community programs and services could improve their health.
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