GPs' views on green social prescribing in Scotland: analysis of a national cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background: Green social prescribing (GSP) aims to link patients to nature-based health interventions (NBHIs) through GPs. However, knowledge of GPs' views on GSP is limited.

Aim: To explore GPs' views on GSP and the factors influencing these views.

Design & setting: National cross-sectional survey of GPs' working lives in Scotland, conducted in 2023, which included four questions about GSP.

Method: Descriptive analysis of GPs' views of GSP and univariate and multivariate (binary logistic) analysis of factors influencing these views.

Results: The survey found 79.6% (n = 1098) of GPs had heard of GSP, 81.3% (n = 1106) would be happy to refer patients to NBHIs, 67.8% (n = 931) thought GSP was suitable for older patients with multimorbidity, and 43.7% (n = 599) felt that patients living in deprived areas would access GSP. Greater knowledge of GSP was associated with White ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30 to 3.22, P = 0.002) and the number of clinical sessions worked per week (aOR 0.90; 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.99, P = 0.034). Higher job satisfaction was associated with more positive views about the suitability of GSP for older patients with multimorbidity (aOR 1.14; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.30; P = 0.043) as were views on whether patients living in deprived areas would access GSP (aOR 1.20; 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.33, P = 0.013). GPs working in deprived areas also had more positive views regarding whether patients living in deprived areas would access GSP (aOR 1.24; 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.45, P = 0.159).

Conclusion: GPs in Scotland are aware of and willing to refer to GSP but have concerns about accessibility for patients from deprived areas. Views were influenced by personal and practice characteristics.