ORCID

Abstract

Aim:To explore factors shaping social prescribing (SP) link workers (LWs) experiences of their job, and how they influence decisions about whether or not to leave it.Background:LWs support healthcare delivery by listening to patients’ non-medical concerns and social or relational difficulties, connecting them to ‘community assets’ (groups, organizations, charities) when relevant to help. LWs try to assist people with often complex emotional and/or social issues. This can affect how they feel in their job.Methods:As part of a mixed methods project on LW retention, a qualitative study was conducted. It involved 20 LWs, purposively selected from respondents to a questionnaire; variation in the sample was sought in terms of self-efficacy in the role, length of time in it, intention to leave or not, employing organization, where they worked in the UK and gender. Semi-structured interviews, conducted via Microsoft Teams, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Prior to interviews, we asked participants to take photographs of: a typical part of their working day; something that gave them confidence in their role; an unexpected part of their role. These photographs were discussed at the start of the interview. Thematic analysis was used to interpret data (the computer programme NVIVO supported this); this involved coding and clustering codes to develop analytical themes.Findings:We produced four themes from the data; 1) Disconnection through place and space: straddling different organizational spheres; 2) Delivery ambiguity: vagueness around the link worker role; 3) Job misalignment and realignment: navigating identity and boundaries; 4) Clouded by instability: uncertainty around career advancement and sustainability. This led to the development of an overarching theme of LWs inhabiting a liminal space as they entered and undertook the role. Findings highlight the importance of training, supervision and other support to ensure LWs do not experience a prolonged liminal state.

Publication Date

2025-11-11

Publication Title

Primary Health Care Research & Development

Volume

26

ISSN

1463-4236

Acceptance Date

2025-08-10

Deposit Date

2025-11-13

Funding

This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) (Award 678). [NAMES REDACTED FOR ANONYMITY] were supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors or participants in the study; they are not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health and Social Care, or the authors’ institutions.

Keywords

Primary care, qualitative research, social prescribing, staff retention, workforce

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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