Carolyn Murray
Regional health professionals’ attitudes toward social prescription of concurrent art and wellness programs for people with dementia and their caregivers
Award
AAG Research Trust - Dementia Australia Research Foundation Strategic Innovation Grant
Status
In progress
Start Date
1 November 2025
About the project
What is the focus of the research?
Exploring how health professionals feel about social prescribing – when a GP or other health professional refers or recommends community programs to support a person’s health and wellbeing.
Why is it important?
Social prescribing can play a major role in helping people living with dementia in the community and their caregivers stay connected, supported and engaged. Stronger referral pathways also lead to better program attendance, outcomes, long-term funding and credibility. Unfortunately, health professionals often don’t know enough about local programs or aren’t confident enough in them to refer.
Dr Murray will work with regional South Australian health professionals to understand their knowledge, confidence and motivation to refer people living with dementia and their caregivers to combined art and wellness programs. Her goal is to uncover what information health professionals need, what helps or hinders referral and how referral pathways can be strengthened. If successful, this project could enhance wellbeing for people living with dementia and their caregivers through engagement in meaningful, enjoyable activities.
What could it mean for people living with dementia?
- Increased support health professionals to use social prescribing to promote wellbeing.
- More inclusive programs that are relevant, trusted and culturally appropriate in regional communities.
- Improved access to social and wellbeing opportunities that reduce isolation, support caregivers and improve quality of life.
Where are they now?
Dr Carolyn Murray is senior lecturer in occupational therapy at Adelaide University.
