Very much in our backyard

I would like to thank Drs Nowak and Mulligan for their thoughtful and on-point article “Social prescribing. A call to action.”¹ They have accurately reflected the lived experience of family physicians who face the myriad clinical problems that have social underpinnings. The responses by our colleagues might be viewed on a spectrum from those who respond with a nihilistic “not my problem; not in my backyard,” to well-connected physicians entrenched in the resources of their communities. The case the authors describe illustrates the power of simple interventions that have far-reaching consequences.

I have been struck by the manner in which the simplest of interventions can effect powerful change. A community garden and collective condition address both food security and isolation. A linguistically specific immigrant women’s group helps isolation while addressing acculturation and sharing resources for gender-based violence. A recreational program for inner-city youth addresses mental health and prevents violence.

There is currently a 2-tiered system in primary care, where those who belong to family health groups and family health organizations do not have access to the transdisciplinary care that is so crucial to the provision of holistic care available in family health teams. In this context it becomes even more crucial to be aware of and connected with services in the community that address social isolation, poor access to mental health services, food insecurity, and poverty.

These issues are very much “in our backyard” and deserve our compassionate attention.

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