Loneliness in healthcare providers: Results from a mid-pandemic survey

Abstract

Background Provider loneliness in healthcare can have devastating consequences. The causes of loneliness are not well known and workplace changes during the COVID-19 pandemic likely cause fewer opportunities for socialization. Objective We sought to explore the relationships between healthcare worker loneliness and isolation among various specialties and work environments. We evaluated factors that may contribute to increased loneliness/isolation, such as job satisfaction, time with peers, and work-related changes during COVID-19. Design An email containing an 18-item survey was sent out to Hartford Hospital’s medical staff. Setting Hartford Hospital Participants Hartford Hospital’s medical staff including physicians, psychologists, physician assistants, and APRNs Measurements Our survey included demographic information, questions regarding frequency of meaningful interactions with colleagues, isolation behaviors, as well as the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, Single-Item Burnout Scale, and Single-Item Measure of Job Satisfaction Results Of 1,015 respondents, almost half (48%) reported feeling lonely. Staff in procedure areas had significantly higher loneliness scores, while hospital-based floor/unit staff reported the lowest scores. Isolation was attributed to exhaustion from clinical work (36.1%), being too busy (39.6%), and being cautious due to COVID-19 (39.2%). Those who reported burnout, depression, and having few meaningful interactions all had increased loneliness scores. Those with higher job satisfaction reported lower loneliness. Limitations While our study had a 51% response rate, this rate is equivalent or higher than the response rate the organization receives to obligatory engagement surveys. It is likely that the ongoing pandemic affected these results. Conclusion We found significant levels of loneliness among our medical staff that appeared strongly related to work setting and environment. Social isolation behaviors were associated with higher loneliness scores. Future research should examine the efficacy of tailored strategies/interventions to reduce loneliness. Primary Funding Source None