AMSA 2023 Embolus Publication

AMSA INITIATIVE GROUPS
38
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
WORKING GROUPS
2023 Achievements Summary
1. We ran two SPSC webinars, providing students to discuss social
prescribing with experts and learn about its application in a case study,
and learn about social prescribing around the world.
2. We ran a workshop about social prescribing at AMSA Global Health
Intensive with experts from around Australia to teach students about
social prescribing and its application through mentor-led case
discussion. We also collaborated with AMSA Med Ed to create an OSCE
station for their clinical years OSCE to demonstrate how social
prescribing can be woven into a mental health consultation.
3. We spearheaded social prescribing advocacy, with the inclusion of
social prescribing in three AMSA policies: Refugee & Asylum Seeker
Health, Mental Health Support Structures and Health Promotion &
Protection.
4. We worked with local and international academic leaders in social
prescribing, including the Australian Social Prescribing Institute for
Research & Education (ASPIRE). We sent a delegate to the 2023
Environment, Activity, Connection & Health (EACH) Conference - the first
social prescribing academic conference in Australia. At this conference,
the 2021 AMSA Social Prescribing policy was cited and discussed by
academics as an example of national policy making led by students -
meaning that AMSA is a leader in the Australian social prescribing space.
We are also working with ASPIRE and other social prescribing leaders to
create more opportunities for student involvement and education.
5. We were consulted by representatives of the Queensland state
government as part of their implementation of the findings of the
Parliamentary Inquiry into Social isolation and loneliness, to discuss
implementation of social prescribing and student perspectives. We were
also consulted by researchers from Connect Local/Bolton Clarke to
provide feedback on a program they are creating to increase awareness
of social isolation.