TY - JOUR
AU - C. Thompson
AU - E. Halcomb
AU - A. Montgomery
AU - K. Peters
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Social connection is fundamental to healthy ageing reducing the serious health impacts of loneliness and social isolation. General practice nurses (GPNs) have skills in assessing and responding to older people's complex needs, applicable to nurse-led interventions strengthening older people's social connections. AIM: To explore factors influencing the implementation of a GPN-led social prescribing intervention to improve social connectedness among older people. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured interviews (n = 13) and two focus groups with eight Australian GPNs exploring intervention implementation. The intervention comprised assessment, goal setting, co-production of personalised plans, referral, and follow-up. Data were inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Themes revealed individual, organisational, and system-level factors that influenced implementation. Barriers included the attitudes and priorities of older people, the disruptive environmental context arising from natural disasters, and system factors including primary care funding and community infrastructure. Family support, positive general practice workplace cultures, and intervention adaptability were enabling factors. CONCLUSIONS: GPNs were able to integrate the intervention into their usual workflow and appropriately respond to lonely and socially isolated older people. However, GPN-led interventions are currently limited by funding models. Building nursing workforce capacity can support integrated health and social care for older people.
AD - PhD Candidate, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.; Health Innovations, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.; Professor of Primary Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.; Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IMPACCT - Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.; Associate Dean (International and Engagement), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
AN - 41585315
BT - J Res Nurs
C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
DA - Jan 20
DO - 10.1177/17449871251410561
DP - NLM
ET - 20260120
JF - J Res Nurs
LA - eng
N2 - BACKGROUND: Social connection is fundamental to healthy ageing reducing the serious health impacts of loneliness and social isolation. General practice nurses (GPNs) have skills in assessing and responding to older people's complex needs, applicable to nurse-led interventions strengthening older people's social connections. AIM: To explore factors influencing the implementation of a GPN-led social prescribing intervention to improve social connectedness among older people. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted through semi-structured interviews (n = 13) and two focus groups with eight Australian GPNs exploring intervention implementation. The intervention comprised assessment, goal setting, co-production of personalised plans, referral, and follow-up. Data were inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Themes revealed individual, organisational, and system-level factors that influenced implementation. Barriers included the attitudes and priorities of older people, the disruptive environmental context arising from natural disasters, and system factors including primary care funding and community infrastructure. Family support, positive general practice workplace cultures, and intervention adaptability were enabling factors. CONCLUSIONS: GPNs were able to integrate the intervention into their usual workflow and appropriately respond to lonely and socially isolated older people. However, GPN-led interventions are currently limited by funding models. Building nursing workforce capacity can support integrated health and social care for older people.
PY - 2026
SN - 1744-9871 (Print); 1744-9871
SP - 17449871251410561
ST - Factors influencing the implementation of a general practice nurse-led intervention to improve social connectedness among older people in Australia: a qualitative descriptive study
T1 - Factors influencing the implementation of a general practice nurse-led intervention to improve social connectedness among older people in Australia: a qualitative descriptive study
T2 - J Res Nurs
TI - Factors influencing the implementation of a general practice nurse-led intervention to improve social connectedness among older people in Australia: a qualitative descriptive study
U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1177/17449871251410561
VO - 1744-9871 (Print); 1744-9871
Y1 - 2026
ER -