Books on Prescription – community‐based health initiative to increase access to mental health treatment: an evaluation

• Published in: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 276 - 278
• Main Authors: Carty, Sophie, Thompson, Louise, Berger, Sarah, Jahnke, Katie, Llewellyn, Rebecca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Elsevier B.V 01.06.2016; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acceptability; Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety disorders; Attitude of Health Personnel; Bibliotherapy; Bibliotherapy - methods; books on prescription; Confidentiality; Consumers; Data collection; evaluation; Female; Health Literacy; Health promotion; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Librarians; Male; Mental depression; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental Health; New Zealand; Patient Satisfaction; Program Evaluation; Program implementation; Public libraries; Rural Health Services; Self Care - methods; Self help; Systematic review; Young Adult; New Zealand; United Kingdom > UK; Australia; PSE, New Zealand; evaluation; health promotion; self‐help; books on prescription; mental health; self-help
• ISSN: 1326-0200; 1753-6405
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12507

To evaluate the implementation of a regional Books on Prescription (BoP) programme. Seven data collection pathways were used to provide indicators of program implementation, utilisation, acceptability and reach. BoP is seen by prescribers, librarians and consumers as a valuable mental health resource. Key areas for improvement were identified: booklist literacy level and breadth of topic area; confidentiality; program promotion; and prescriber/librarian training. Recommendations are made regarding the improvement of programme acceptability, accessibility and assessment. The establishment of a national BoP scheme would facilitate sustainable and consistent methods for BoP promotion and assessment. The authors hope this evaluation is a step towards actualising this goal.