Museums on Prescription: Incorporating Museum Staff Perspectives

Abstract

At the intersection of social prescribing and museums in health is museums on prescription, a project in which the museum is viewed as a viable community service provider for social prescriptions. Although museums on prescription has gained considerable attention by museum practitioners and healthcare professionals in various countries, it is understudied and there is a need for more rigorous research that incorporates a broader scope of stakeholder perspectives. This study responds to this research gap by richly describing museums on prescription models from the perspectives of the museum practitioners involved in them. This study utilized a descriptive case study approach where data was acquired through document analysis and facilitated interviews with six museum staff from five museums in two countries where museums on prescription is most prevalent, the UK and Canada. Findings suggest that museums on prescription is commonly associated with social prescribing light models, requires a verbal or written referral, and adopts one of two program formats that is heavily dependent on partnership— customized programming or ticket distribution. Although museums on prescription was viewed by museum staff as a means to increase the well-being value of the museum, limited stakeholder capacity was a considerable constraint. This study also found that while there is shared concern for the impact of Covid-19 on future programming, museum staff are majorly optimistic of the possibilities. This study lays the groundwork for further research connecting museum staff experiences to social prescribing.