DR. STEPHEN LAWRENCE

ABOUT PRESCRIBED NOTES

WHERE MEDICAL EXPERTISE MEETS MUSICAL INNOVATION

As both a practicing physician, associate professor specializing in Diabetes care, and an accomplished improvising pianist, Dr. Stephen Lawrence discovered that traditional medical education often fails to resonate with healthcare professionals in a meaningful way. A non-jargon, bite-size approach helps patients to understand important medical principles.

Through years of clinical practice, it became clear that patients retained medical information better when presented through musical frameworks and rhythmic patterns. This insight led to the development of a unique teaching methodology that leverages musical elements to enhance understanding and recall of critical diabetes management concepts.

Dr. Lawrence brings exceptional expertise to this platform, having previously served as the Diabetes Lead for the Royal College of General Practitioner (RCGP) and as the Primary Care Lead for Diabetes UK. His extensive experience in these prestigious roles has given him unique insights into the challenges faced by both patients and healthcare providers.

Beyond his medical career, Dr Lawrence has an alter ego on social media, where his channels showcase his musical talents. There, he simply composes and plays music for the enjoyment of others, revealing the artistic side that complements his medical expertise.

Prescribed Notes was found to bring this innovative approach to a wide audience. Today, it helps both patients and healthcare professionals better understand and manage diabetes through the universal language of music.

A FOCUS ON DIABETES

UNDERSTANDING THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM

In the UK alone, 1 in 12 people are living with diabetes.

That’s 8.3% of the population, which amounts to around 5 million individuals - more than the entire population of Scotland.

Every 3 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with diabetes.

And for every person diagnosed, there are many more living with complications they don’t yet see coming.

This is not just about blood sugar. It’s about increased risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, vision loss and mental health struggles.

It affects children, working adults and older people - across every community.

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The Hidden Crisis

1.3 million people in the UK have diabetes but don’t know it.

The number is equivalent to the combined populations of Birmingham and Luton.

These are not just numbers, they are a daily reality shaped by stigma, misunderstanding and life-altering consequences.

Early detection and proper management can significantly improve quality of life for people with diabetes. Education is key to successful management.

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How diabetes is diagnosed and monitored - introducing HbA1c

Imagine your red blood cells as tiny boats floating along in your bloodstream. When your blood sugar (glucose) levels are high, more glucose molecules start to stick to these little boats as they travel. The HbA1c test measures how many of these boats have picked up glucose passengers along the way. The more glucose that’s attached, the higher your HbA1c result—showing us how much sugar has been floating in your blood over

 

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OUR UNIQUE APPROACH

Research suggests that the integration of music into healthcare education significantly improves retention and understanding of complex medical concepts. Studies show that music enhances the learning experience through heightened awareness and improved mood(1). We combine medical science with musical elements to create more engaging and effective healthcare education based on this evidence.

  1. de Witte, M., Spruit, A., van Hooren, S,. Moonen, X., & Stams, G.J.(2020). Effects of music interventions on stress-related outcomes: a systematic review and two-meta analyses. Health Psychology Review, 14(2), 294-324.

Prescribed Notes uniquely combines live piano music with evidence-based diabetes education to engage, inspire, and empower diverse audiences.

Hover on the pictures below for more information.

Research-Backed Methods

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Meta-analyses show music interventions reduce stress and boost working memory, improving retention and understanding of complex medical protocols.

Musical Mnemonics

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We create melodic patterns and rhythms that help patients remember medication schedules, monitoring routines, and important health info.

Multi-Sensory Learning

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By engaging both auditory and visual learning pathways, our approach improves comprehension and retention of critical health information.

Rhythmic Education

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Our teaching methods use rhythm to help explain biological processes, making complex concepts like insulin action and glucose metabolism more intuitive

PEER REVIEW RESEARCH

Explore peer-reviewed research highlighting how music enhances learning, memory and information retention by visiting the journals below.

  1. Zaatar, M. T., Alhakim, K., Enayeh, M., & Tamer, R. (2024). The Transformative Power of Music: Insights into neuroplasticity health, and disease. Brain, Behaviour, & Immunity - Health, 35, 100716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100716

  2. Bleibel, M., El Cheikh, A., Sadier, N. S, & Abou-Abbas, L. (2023). The effect of music therapy on cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Alzehimers Research & Therapy, 15(1), 65. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-023-01214-9

THE MISSION & VALUES

1. EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION

We believe that well-informed patients make better health decisions. Our primary mission is to empower individuals with diabetes through innovative educational methods.

2. INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE EDUCATION

We continously explore new ways to make medical education more engaging, memorable, and effective through the integration of musical elements.

We strive to make diabetes education accessible to everyone, offering free foundational resources alongside premium content for those seeking more comprehensive support.

3. ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

All our educational content is grounded in the latest medical research and clinical guidelines, ensuring that patients and professionals receive accurate, up-to-date information.

4. EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH

THE PRESCRIBED NOTES METHOD

A unique approach that combines creative expression with clinical education to inform, reflect and transform. We deliver music-infused education through a structured, multisensory format.

The Method includes:

  • Live piano performance - music as both metaphor and memory cue

  • Narrative storytelling - drawn from clinical and lived experience

  • Evidence-based teaching - focused on diabetes and chronic conditions

  • Reflective space - enabling emotional processing, connection and healing

Together, this unique blend creates a powerful, memorable way to engage learners, uplift communities and promote wellbeing.