The concept of Social Prescribing was developed in England to address psychosocial needs in a targeted way and to improve access to health-promoting services, especially for disadvantaged population groups. Its implementation in Austria is becoming increasingly relevant with the expansion of primary care centers.

Social Prescribing relies on interdisciplinary collaboration between health and social care professionals, primarily through the referral of patients to a Link Worker. This professional, who typically has a background in health or social services, helps individuals identify their social and emotional needs and connect with appropriate resources. Challenges arise in defining the boundaries between Social Work and healthcare responsibilities, as well as in fostering effective collaboration between Link Workers and social workers.

This research-led teaching project aims to identify key success factors for the effective implementation of Social Prescribing, examine best practices, and incorporate patient perspectives. The focus areas include interdisciplinary cooperation and the acceptance of the service. The research findings are intended to support the optimization of Social Prescribing practices in Austria.