(P20-054-24) Stakeholder Perspectives on the Design and Integration of Produce Prescription in Australian Healthcare to Support Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Food Insecurity

Objectives: To explore stakeholders’ acceptability of and perspectives on the design and implementation of produce prescription (PRx) for adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Australia.

Methods: Key stakeholders across six categories (i.e. government, healthcare services, clinicians, food retailers, consumers, and non-government organizations) were identified through purposive sampling based on their expertise. Data were collected through a virtual workshop (Microsoft Teams) or online survey (Qualtrics). Thematic analysis was conducted using a deductive-inductive approach.

Results: Stakeholder categories: Twenty-two stakeholders participated, representing government (n = 5), healthcare services (n = 5), clinicians (n = 4), food retailers (n = 4), consumers (n = 2) and non-government organizations (n = 2).

Acceptability: Most stakeholders recognized PRx as an acceptable intervention with a broad range of potential benefits, but some also pointed to potential sustainability resourcing challenges.

Design and implementation: Key factors identified by stakeholders included the need to design and test fit-for-purpose programs tailored to the target communities; establishing a governance body and adopting a place-based approach to program delivery. They suggested evaluations of PRx should focus on health outcomes (e.g. HbA1c, wound healing); health economics (e.g. cost-benefit analysis); program evaluation (e.g. participant satisfaction) and other measures (e.g. financial and food security).

Integration: Stakeholders were vocal about the approach (e.g. accessible, non-stigmatizing) and infrastructure (e.g. build tools into medical software) needed to support healthcare provider referrals to a PRx; and identified entry points for PRx in Australia that exist within (e.g. specialist metabolic health clinics) and outside of the healthcare sector (e.g. via partnerships with foodbanks)

Conclusions: The overall positive appetite for PRx among a range of stakeholders provides justification for continued investigation of such programs in the Australian context. Our findings provide clear considerations for future design and evaluations of PRx interventions.

Funding Sources: The Ian Potter Foundation, Future Food Systems CRC, The International Fresh Produce Association.