Interprofessional Collaborations on Interventions for People With Loneliness: A Scoping Review

To describe the types and effects of interprofessional collaborations (IPC) interventions, the disciplines involved, the target population and the barriers and facilitators in implementation for tackling loneliness.

Scoping review.

Following Arksey and O'Mally's framework, two authors screened the title, abstract and full text of the identified studies. Characteristics of included studies and IPC interventions were extracted into tables. The PAGER framework was applied for data analysis.

Keyword search was conducted on OVID Medline, OVID PsycINFO, OVID Embase, EBSCO CINAHL and ProQuest databases from January 2003 to October 2023.

Eleven eligible articles were included. IPC was generally effective in alleviating loneliness among older adults. Professionals involved students of healthcare professionals, nurses, physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, artists and engineers. IPC interventions were delivered face-to-face or by digital technology. IPC interventions involved social groups, intergenerational support, social skill training, art therapy, home visiting, coordinated care pathways and digital rehabilitation. Both facilitators and barriers to implementing IPC interventions for tackling loneliness were identified.

Interprofessional collaboration employing digital technology has been a recent trend for tackling loneliness among older adults. However, the collaborative ways between various disciplines to develop and implement IPC interventions for tackling loneliness were unclear. Nursing demonstrated relatively low engagement in IPC studies for loneliness.

Nurses should expand their roles in IPC to tackle the psycho-social-spiritual aspects of loneliness. Involving an intergenerational approach is important for older adults.

There is no systematic mapping and synthesis of information on IPC for tackling loneliness. IPC interventions are generally effective in alleviating loneliness among older adults; however, ways of collaboration between disciplines require further attention. Nurses across a variety of settings in the community can become actively involved in IPC interventions for loneliness.

PRISMA-ScR. No Patient or Public Contribution. Protocol Registration Number: DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/PJDH2.