AUTHOR=Davies Mark , Elliott Megan , Wallace Sarah , Wallace Carolyn 

TITLE=Enhancing Student Wellbeing Through Social Prescribing: A Rapid Realist Review

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 44 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2023.1605189

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2023.1605189

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=Objectives:
The Realist Review reported here resulted in the development of a Realist Programme theory articulating how such a pathway might look within the Higher Education environment.

Methods: 
Searches of 12 electronic databases were supplemented by citation chaining and grey literature surfaced by the Project Advisory Group. The RAMESES Quality Standards for Realist Review were followed, and the retrieved articles were systematically screened and iteratively analysed to develop CMOCs and an overarching Realist Programme Theory. 

Results:
A total of 57 papers were included. The overarching programme theory was developed from the analysis of these papers and comprised of a social prescribing pathway with the following components: (1) An Accessible Gateway, (2) A Skilled Peer, (3) Trusted-Safe-Credible Resources, and (4) A Healthy Setting. 

Conclusions:
Realist Programme Theory of both causation and implementation was developed – this model and associated principles will provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of social prescribing pathways within higher education. Whilst the direct project outputs are of particular significance to the UK HE audience, the underpinning principles can support practice within the global arena.