Social Prescribing and Occupational Therapy
How Rocky Mountain College’s OTD Program Prepares Clinicians to Connect Health, Community, and Everyday Life
Health does not begin and end in the clinic. Loneliness, limited transportation, food insecurity, lack of meaningful activity, and social isolation all shape how people recover, participate, and thrive. This is where social prescribing comes in—and why it aligns naturally with the core of occupational therapy practice.
Social prescribing is an emerging approach in healthcare where clinicians refer clients to non-medical, community-based resources to support health and well-being. Instead of focusing only on medication or procedures, providers also “prescribe” community programs, social groups, exercise classes, arts activities, and volunteer opportunities that help people live fuller, more connected lives.
For occupational therapists, this is familiar territory. OT already focuses on participation in meaningful activities, roles, and environments. Social prescribing creates a formal structure to connect clients with the community resources that support those goals.
Rocky Mountain College’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program prepares practitioners to lead in this space—integrating social prescribing into occupation-based evaluation, intervention, and program development.
What Is Social Prescribing?
Social prescribing is a structured referral pathway that links clients to non-clinical services that address social, emotional, and practical needs. Instead of only treating symptoms, it focuses on what people do, where they live, and who they spend time with.
Physical Wellness: Group exercise or walking programs tailored for balance and mobility.
Creative Arts: Community arts, music, or theater groups for expressive therapy.
Civic Engagement: Volunteer opportunities or peer support groups for those with shared lived experiences.
Lifelong Learning: Adult education or skill-building classes to foster cognitive growth.
Spiritual & Cultural: Faith-based or cultural community activities to maintain social identity.
Nature-Based: Community gardens or nature groups to improve sensory regulation and mood.
Targeted Socializing: Social clubs for older adults, caregivers, or specific health conditions.
These referrals are often coordinated through a “link worker” or community navigator who helps clients identify interests, explore local options, and problem-solve barriers such as transportation, scheduling, or accessibility.
For clients, social prescribing can reduce isolation, improve mood, increase physical activity, and support a stronger sense of purpose. For health systems, it can complement medical care and help address social determinants of health in a practical way.
The Occupational Therapy Social Prescribing Pathway
This process integrates advanced clinical reasoning and systems thinking—core competencies of doctoral-level occupational therapy.
Screening & Identification
OTs identify social and participation-related needs during evaluation, exploring the interests and values that drive a client’s desire to re-engage.
Collaborative Goal Setting
Setting functional objectives like rebuilding confidence in community settings or establishing new social routines to inform clinical interventions.
Interprofessional Referral
Collaborating with link workers, care coordinators, or navigators to map appropriate community resources to the patient’s specific profile.
Skill-Building & Preparation
Preparing the client through transportation planning, communication strategies, and task-specific training to ensure successful participation.
Follow-Up & Adaptation
Monitoring real-life outcomes and applying clinical reasoning to adjust goals or identify alternative community pathways as needs evolve.
The RMC OTD Advantage: Integrating Social Prescribing
Rocky Mountain College’s OTD program is designed for practitioners who want to lead in evolving areas of practice, bridging the gap between clinical rehabilitation and community-based care.
Mentorship-Driven Learning
Small cohorts allow for personalized faculty guidance to explore emerging practices and design interventions that extend beyond traditional clinic walls.
Social Determinants of Health
Students learn to advocate for equity by incorporating housing, transportation, and social network analysis into advanced OT evaluation.
Evidence-Informed Practice
Translating research into practice across schools, community centers, and public health initiatives using evidence-based occupational models.
Leadership & Program Development
Preparing graduates to lead interdisciplinary teams and develop programs that link medical systems with essential community resources.
Clinical Applications for OTD Graduates
RMC graduates leverage social prescribing to bridge the gap between clinical settings and the community, ensuring long-term patient success.
Hospital-Based OT
Referring patients nearing discharge to community exercise or peer support to sustain gains made during inpatient rehab.
Primary Care OT
Partnering with physicians to identify clients with chronic conditions who need nutrition education or specialized social groups.
Mental Health OT
Connecting clients to arts, music, and vocational programs that restore identity, structure, and a sense of hope.
Geriatric / Home Health
Linking older adults to senior centers, meal programs, and transportation to reduce isolation and support aging in place.
Program Developer
Designing OT-led initiatives that partner with local organizations to create accessible, meaningful opportunities for participation.
In each of these roles, social prescribing becomes a practical tool for living out OT’s core mission: enabling people to live the lives they value.
Program FAQ: Social Prescribing & Beyond
How does the RMC OTD program address social prescribing?
Students learn to evaluate the full context of a client’s life, including social supports, routines, and community access. Through coursework, mentorship, and applied projects, you will explore how to integrate community resources and social prescribing into occupation-based care.
Is the program only focused on traditional rehabilitation?
No. While rehabilitation is a core strength, the program prepares you for leadership in primary care, mental health, and emerging areas like population health. Our curriculum emphasizes flexible, creative thinking about where and how OT can serve in a modern healthcare landscape.
Who is the ideal candidate for this program?
The program is designed for licensed OTs and recent graduates who want to deepen their clinical reasoning and leadership skills. It is especially suited for those who value small class sizes and a strong connection between evidence and real-world practice.
How does the structure support working professionals?
RMC’s OTD program emphasizes a student-centered design, allowing many learners to continue in clinical roles while pursuing their degree. Faculty support helps you integrate new knowledge—like social prescribing initiatives—directly into your current workplace.
Building a Career That Extends Beyond the Clinic
Social prescribing reflects a vital recognition in modern healthcare: health is fundamentally shaped by community, connection, and meaningful activity. Occupational therapists are the primary architects of this transition.
Assess the Whole Person
Evaluate real-world context to identify barriers and facilitators to participation.
Design Interventions
Blend high-level clinical skill with meaningful community-based engagement.
Lead Programs
Advocate for the essential roles of environment and social support in recovery.
If you are exploring a clinical doctorate and want to help shape the future of community-connected care, we invite you to take the next step in your leadership journey.