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Risk for Loneliness and Social Isolation: Potentially Underestimated Nursing Diagnoses in Onco-Hematology Inpatients
Luca Bertocchi1, Giorgia Franzoi, Giulia Zamagni
1Author Affiliations: Department of Oncology, Hematology Unit, Trieste University Hospital (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy (Bertocchi and Franzoi); Emergency Department, San Polo Hospital, Monfalcone (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy (De Martino); Marjory Gordon Program for Clinical Reasoning and Knowledge Development, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts (Bertocchi); Institute for Maternal and Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy (Zamagni); Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy (Sanson).
Cancer Nursing
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Loneliness and social isolation are prevalent in onco-hematologic patients, increasing over time. Early nursing assessment and interventions are crucial for improving well-being and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology Nursing
- Psychosocial Oncology
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Loneliness and social isolation are significant psychosocial challenges for patients with onco-hematologic diseases.
- These issues negatively impact patient well-being, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes.
- Prevalence data, especially using standardized nursing diagnoses, are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Risk for Loneliness and Social Isolation nursing diagnoses in hospitalized onco-hematologic patients.
- To examine changes in these diagnoses over a 1-week period.
- To identify factors associated with the presence of these diagnoses at admission.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study design.
- Inclusion of adult inpatients with onco-hematologic diseases admitted for at least 7 days.
- Assessment at admission (T0) and 1 week later (T1) using standardized nursing diagnoses, with multivariable analyses.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of Risk for Loneliness was 73% and Social Isolation was 15% at T0.
- Both diagnoses showed increased incidence and related factors/defining characteristics over the 1-week follow-up.
- Lower self-esteem, younger age, and single-room accommodation were associated with Risk for Loneliness; only self-esteem was linked to Social Isolation.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalized onco-hematologic patients experience high and increasing levels of loneliness and social isolation.
- Systematic nursing assessment and timely interventions are essential.
- Flexible visiting policies and targeted psychosocial support can mitigate these issues and improve patient outcomes.
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01:25Formulating and Validating Nursing Diagnosis II
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01:22Nursing Diagnosis
Following assessment, a nursing diagnosis is the next step in the nursing process. It begins after the nurse has collected and recorded the patient data. The purpose of diagnosing is to identify how the client responds to actual or potential health processes, identify factors that bestow or that cause health problems, the etiologies, and identify resources or strengths the individual, group, or community can draw on to prevent or resolve problems.
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01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
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01:26Formulating and Validating Nursing Diagnosis I
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