TY - JOUR T1 - Exploring student perceptions and awareness of social prescribing JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract DO - 10.3399/bjgp19X703649 VL - 69 IS - suppl 1 SP - bjgp19X703649 AU - Hannah Mulligan AU - Daisy Kirtley AU - Claudia Santoni AU - Joel Chilaka AU - Bogdan Chiva Giurca Y1 - 2019/06/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/69/suppl_1/bjgp19X703649.abstract N2 - Background The importance of social prescribing has been illustrated by the NHS Long Term Plan, as well as the GP Forward View published in 2016. Social prescribing is enabling healthcare professionals to refer patients to a link worker, to co-design a non-clinical social prescription to improve their health and well-being. A lack of awareness of social prescribing has been suggested in the past, although no studies have been formally conducted to date to provide the evidence basis for this statement.Aim Exploring perceptions, understanding, and awareness of social prescribing among medical students across the UK.Method Student views were collected using a survey delivered before and after teaching sessions as part of the NHS England National Social Prescribing Student Champion Scheme. A total of 932 responses were recorded from 27 different medical schools.Results Pre-session surveys suggested that 91% (n = 848) of medical students have never heard of the concept of social prescribing before the teaching session. Post-session surveys highlighted that 98% (n = 913) of students regarded the concept as useful and relevant to their future careers following teaching on the subject.Conclusion Survey findings confirm a significant lack of awareness regarding social prescribing among medical students from 27 different medical schools across the UK. New strategies are needed to ensure the doctors of tomorrow are equipped with the necessary tools to achieve the recent outcomes for graduates which highlight the importance of personalised care and social sciences. ER -