Social Prescribing in Vesterbro-Sydhavnen: linking patients to community support

Effectiveness Evaluation in the SHINE Research Programme - Social Prescribing for Adults and Elderly: The Path to Effective Implementation

Observational Hvidovre University Hospital · NCT07029334

This project will try social prescribing with adults in Vesterbro-Sydhavnen who have complex health or social needs to see if connecting them to community services reduces loneliness and urgent healthcare use.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment350 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHvidovre University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Copenhagen)
Trial IDNCT07029334 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational evaluation of the 'Social Prescribing Vesterbro-Sydhavnen' program, launched as part of usual care in fall 2024 and delivered via GP referral to a dedicated link worker. Up to 500 patients from about 15 GPs in 10 clinics are expected to participate, with a planned analysis sample of 315 recruited consecutively from summer 2025. Outcomes include changes in general practice contacts, unplanned hospital contacts and emergency calls (1813), and patient-reported loneliness and health-related quality of life. There are no formal inclusion or exclusion criteria for the evaluation beyond participation in the local social prescribing intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) in the Vesterbro-Sydhavnen area with or at risk of complex health and social challenges or with high elective and acute visits to general practice who are referred by their GP are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without social or practical needs, those already well connected to community supports, or individuals unwilling or unable to engage with the link worker or local services may not receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce feelings of loneliness, improve quality of life, and lower unplanned use of healthcare by connecting patients to local social and cultural services.

How similar studies have performed: Previous programs in the UK, Canada, and Australia have shown that social prescribing can reduce loneliness and some types of healthcare use, so this evaluation builds on existing international evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
All participants in the SP intervention are invited consecutively to participate in the effectiveness evaluation by the Link Worker. There are no exclusion or inclusion criteria in the effectiveness evaluation of the SP intervention.

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions LonelinessHealth Related Quality of LifeSocial PrescribingPublic Health
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.