Abstract

The government wants to strengthen the connection between the medical and social domains. The ‘Welzijn op Recept’ (Well-being on prescription) intervention is an example of this. As part of this intervention, general practitioners refer people with mild psychosocial symptoms, such as loneliness, to well-being coaches in the social domain. Together with the client, this coach will then look for an activity to enhance well-being. Examples can vary widely, from visiting the community centre to participating in volunteer work. However, it has proven difficult to make contact between GPs and well-being coaches a structural component of care and support offered at the local level.

RIVM and TNO have therefore investigated what is needed to achieve this. RIVM and TNO recommend that GP practices set up a core team, involving all stakeholders, to generate broad support. The stakeholders in question include the GP, the well-being coach, a municipal representative and someone from the health centre’s or GP practice’s management team. The core team should first establish what ‘Welzijn op Recept’ entails, for whom it is intended and who should take on which roles and tasks. Moreover, structural funding is important, and the professionals involved should have enough time to help patients effectively. Effective cooperation between the stakeholders is crucial in this regard, as is a sufficient range of activities.

To make sure that ’Welzijn op Recept’ becomes a fixed component of the care and support offered at the local level, it is important for both patients and professionals to be aware that this intervention exists. Also, patients must be prepared to take part in activities. Furthermore, wellbeing coaches must be visible in practices to make them a familiar face and lower the threshold for contact. Additionally, the GP and the wellbeing coach must maintain contact, so it is clear how the patient is doing. This will give the patient confidence in the approach. Finally, it is important to gain insight into the effects of this intervention and to keep making people aware of this approach.