Being in the hospital can be a lonely and isolating experience. Patients are removed from their daily routines, familiar environments, and loved ones. Loneliness in the healthcare setting is unfortunately quite common, but it can significantly impact patient outcomes. Understanding the causes and consequences of loneliness for hospitalized patients is important for improving their mental health during recovery.
What causes loneliness in hospital patients?
There are several factors that can lead to feelings of loneliness for patients in the hospital:
- Being away from family and friends. Loved ones may not be able to visit as often as desired due to distance, work schedules, or hospital visitation policies.
- Lack of mobility or activity. Illness and medical procedures may restrict a patient’s ability to move around and engage in regular social activities.
- Language barriers. Patients who do not speak the local language fluently can feel isolated when communicating with hospital staff.
- Lack of meaningful interaction. Busy hospital staff may not have time to provide the social contact patients need.
- Sharing a room with strangers. Some patients may feel uncomfortable with roommates and lack privacy.
- Sensory deprivation. The sterile hospital environment lacks stimulation and personal affects that provide comfort.
- Medications. Some medications have side effects of confusion or altered mental status that prevent socialization.
Patients who are elderly, severely ill, or staying in the hospital for prolonged periods tend to be most at risk for experiencing loneliness. However, patients of all ages and backgrounds can feel lonely when hospitalized away from their normal social circles and routines.
What effects can loneliness have on patient health?
Research has shown that experiencing loneliness during hospitalization can negatively impact both mental and physical health outcomes:
- Depression – Loneliness is linked to higher rates of depressive symptoms in hospital patients.
- Anxiety – Loneliness can exacerbate worries and fears patients have about their health status and hospital care.
- Delirium – Loneliness is a risk factor for developing delirium, an acute confused mental state common in older hospital patients.
- Sleep disturbances – Loneliness can disrupt normal sleep-wake cycles and contribute to insomnia.
- Post-discharge recovery – Patients who felt lonely in the hospital may have worse functional outcomes and ability to care for themselves after discharge.
- Readmissions – Loneliness is linked to higher hospital readmission rates within 30 days after discharge.
- Mortality – Hospital patients who report frequent loneliness have a higher risk of death over the next 6 months compared to less lonely peers.
The mechanism for how loneliness impacts health likely involves activation of stress pathways in the body. Prolonged loneliness leads to increased inflammation and weakened immune responses. It also contributes to negative health behaviors such as poor nutrition, decreased mobility, and substance abuse which impede recovery.
What can hospitals do to address patient loneliness?
Hospitals should acknowledge loneliness as a pressing patient care issue and implement strategies to foster social connection:
- Relax visitation policies so family and friends can provide more support.
- Encourage staff to take time for meaningful conversations with patients beyond just medical needs.
- Provide access to TV, books, magazines, music, and internet to entertain isolated patients.
- Organize patient activity groups for social games, crafts, music or pet therapy.
- Pair patients up with volunteer visitors from the community.
- Use phones, video calls, and messaging to help patients stay connected to loved ones.
- Design semi-private rooms and wards to promote patient interaction.
- Screen for loneliness and provide psychological referrals when indicated.
Small efforts to increase social contact and enrichment can go a long way to improving the hospital experience and recovery for patients struggling with loneliness.
Conclusion
Loneliness in hospitalized patients is an important issue that can no longer be ignored. Social isolation has proven negative consequences for mental health, physical recovery, and medical outcomes. By understanding root causes and implementing changes to encourage greater social connection, hospitals can help alleviate loneliness and improve patient satisfaction during stays.