Patient perspectives on loneliness interventions in primary care: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• A loneliness epidemic exists in the United States.
• Primary care settings may offer accessible avenues for loneliness interventions.
• Understanding patient experiences is crucial for effective intervention design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize primary care patients' experiences with loneliness.
• To identify strategies patients use to counteract loneliness.
• To explore patient perspectives on loneliness interventions within primary care.

Main Methods:

• 17 adults reporting social isolation were interviewed using semistructured interviews.
• Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis.
• Themes were identified from participant accounts of loneliness causes, strategies, and intervention views.

Main Results:

• Participants identified intrapersonal, relational, and situational causes of loneliness.
• Most participants were aware of and had success with strategies to reduce loneliness.
• Perspectives on primary care-based loneliness interventions were divided; some were positive, while others expressed skepticism.

Conclusions:

• Patient psychoeducation and alliance-building may be necessary before implementing loneliness interventions in primary care.
• Addressing the multifaceted nature of loneliness may require comprehensive interventions.
• Improving coping mechanisms and enhancing social engagement are key patient-desired improvements for loneliness.