Family Medicine Commons^™

Loneliness In Primary Care Patients: Relationships With Body Mass Index And Health Care Utilization, Tamara K. Oser, Siddhartha Roy, Jessica Parascando, Rebecca Mullen, Julie Radico, Alexis Reedy-Cooper, Jennifer Moss

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Rates of loneliness and obesity have increased in recent decades. Loneliness and obesity independently have been found to be risk factors for negative physical and mental health outcomes. This study examined the rates and interrelationships of loneliness, body mass index (BMI), and health care utilization in a primary care setting.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of adult patients presenting for outpatient care at 7 family medicine clinical practices in Pennsylvania was conducted. Survey questions included self-reported measures of loneliness, height/weight, number of health care visits, and potential confounders (eg, sociodemographic variables, health status). Bivariate and multivariable linear regression models were …

Social Isolation: Impact On Physical And Mental Health, Alexa Waters, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

Learning Objectives

• Review the impact of social isolation and loneliness on important aspects of health and well-being, with a focus on older adults
• Review risk and protective factors for social isolation and loneliness
• Discuss how the health care system and primary care physicians can better identify and address social isolation
• Briefly highlight interventions to enhance social connectedness and reduce loneliness

Outline

• Background
• Impacts of social isolation and loneliness on health and well-being
• Risk and protective factors for social isolation and loneliness
• Role of the health system and primary care in addressing social isolation and loneliness
• Cases throughout

Addressing Psychosocial Outcomes Of Social Isolation In Older Adults, Megan Friesen, Madeline M. Christensen

Nursing DNP Projects

Purpose and Rationale

The aim of the evidence-based practice (EBP) project is to improve psychological outcomes for socially isolated older adults enrolled in a Homebound Program (HP) through the implementation of an EBP intervention. Social isolation has a multitude of negative consequences, including impacting the psychological health (e.g. depression, loneliness, anxiety) of the older adult population.

Synthesis of Evidence

Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials addressing the clinical problem of social isolation were identified. Through critical appraisal of the evidence, physical activity, psychotherapy, and socialization interventions have shown to decrease depression and loneliness in older adults. There were mixed …

I Live Alone But Don't Feel Alone: Social Isolation And Loneliness From The Patient Perspective, Julia Bedard-Thomas, Christian Gausvik, Jonathan Wessels, Saundra Regan, Keesha Goodnow, Anna Goroncy

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

A growing homebound population may be at risk for social isolation and loneliness. Health-related social needs play a contributing role in these conditions. Research shows social isolation and loneliness are drivers of health outcomes. This pilot feasibility study seeks to explore patient-centered insight into perceptions of social isolation and loneliness in a homebound population. Eight participants were recruited from a home-based primary care practice within a family medicine residency program. One 30-minute semi-structured interview was completed in participants’ homes. The interview focused on loneliness and social isolation, using the 6-item De Jong Gerveld loneliness scale. Three qualitative analysts open-coded transcriptions …