Director of Community Paediatrics & Professor of Community Paediatrics at the University of Sydney
SLHD & The University of Sydney
Introduction: Adverse social determinants of health, experienced as unmet social needs (USNs) at a personal level, contribute to the severity of the cerebral palsy in children. Our aim was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, satisfaction and fidelity of a co-designed social prescribing program (community linker plus resource pack) in NSW.
Methods: A pilot randomised controlled trial across NSW paediatric rehabilitation services. Families of children with CP with one or more USN were randomised into the social prescribing program (a 3-month intervention with a community linker/resource pack) or active control (resource pack only). Primary outcomes were feasibility, acceptability, satisfaction and fidelity. Secondary outcomes explored included USN and wellbeing measures. A mixed-methods analysis (including stop go criteria) was undertaken.
Results: A total of 104 (54 intervention, 50 control) families were recruited (86% planned recruitment). 94.5% allocated to the intervention engaged with CL, and 59% and 51% completed 3- and 6-month surveys respectively. 97% (intervention) and 93% (active control) of responders reported they would “definitely/probably recommend” CL/resource or resource pack only respectively. 94% (intervention) and 72% (active control) of responders reported being “very/somewhat satisfied” with CL/resource or resource pack only respectively. Community linkers reported a total of 762 encounters with parents, 80% ranging between 2 and 20 minutes. Key qualitative themes regarding CL experiences were “supporting increased recognition and response to USN”, “increasing knowledge, skills, and confidence”; and “addressing key building blocks and current gaps”. There was a significant decrease in both groups in the total number of USN, and parental distress. Parent QoL and health, and child QoL and health improved, though not significantly.
Discussion: This social prescribing pathway for children with CP is feasible in terms of recruitment and engagement, acceptable and has high levels of parental satisfaction. More effective strategies to improve completion rates for follow-up survey data is needed.