Based on the concept of social prescription, Clic Social is a project initiated by the Eva Marsden Centre for Social Justice and Aging. The idea first came about in 2020 as a means to address a variety of health and social challenges that have been on the rise over the past few years and were exacerbated during the pandemic. Issues such as: overload of the healthcare and social systems, delayed consultations, lack of family physicians and increased waiting lists for health services are affecting communities, particularly those most vulnerable.

Data shows that 15-18% of all visits to healthcare practitioners, including GPs, dentists and rehabilitation workers, involve non-medical issues related to social determinants of health. However, healthcare professionals are struggling to easily access useful information and available resources to “prescribe” during appointments. Needless to say, a way to address these needs would be to strive for a better collaboration and communication between each sector; a desire that is felt both within workers of each sector.

This is where social prescription can be helpful. Social prescription has been around since the 90s in the UK and has been part of the NHS (Nation Health System) since 2016. Its purpose is to encourage health professionals to address social determinants of health by working with local community organizations. This collaboration takes place through referrals, follow-ups and communications between all parties involved.

With growing challenges worldwide, the concept has expanded globally, including Canada, and is currently gaining traction in Quebec. There are a few projects happening locally which refer beneficiaries to activities or to specific services in community organizations, but none that we know that are being conducted in a formal way or at a wide scale. Our belief is that Clic Social is the first of its kind in Quebec, working intersectionality and striving to go beyond a simple referral.

Our vision for Clic Social

We envision a collaboration between the healthcare system and community organizations that puts all vulnerable people at the center of all services. Our goal is to help them have access to personalized care and to have a systematic follow-up on their progress. To do so, we envision a model of care that includes a link worker, a navigator, that helps connect the vulnerable person to the services between each sector and that will work with the beneficiary to ensure optimal care.

Our partners

To accomplish our vision, we have established several partnerships with the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, with researchers at McGill and with community organizations, all in the hopes of creating a tool that reflects our needs and our complex realities within the healthcare system.

We hope that you follow our progress and join us in building an inspiring tool that can showcase how sector collaboration in Quebec can change the healthcare landscape and help make a difference for those most vulnerable.