Loneliness among family medicine providers and its impact on clinical and teaching practice

Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) are increasingly recognized as health risks. This study examines family medicine providers' personal experiences with SIL, their perspectives on its importance in clinical practice, and their readiness to incorporate it into medical education. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) among members of major U.S. academic family medicine organizations between October and November 2024. Responses on the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale and items assessing attitudes toward SIL in clinical practice and medical education were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Among 1,004 respondents (response rate 20.7%), 27.8% had sum scores ≥ 6 on the UCLA-3 item scale indicating considerable loneliness. SIL was particularly prevalent among women (31.1%), underrepresented minorities (36.1%), and Black/African American respondents (40.3%). While 54.1% rated SIL as important in family medicine and 68.2% supported regular screening, only 32.5% agreed that managing SIL falls within clinicians' responsibility. Providers experiencing SIL themselves reported less frequent patient discussions about loneliness (23.7% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.023) and fewer community partnerships. Most respondents (71.0%) reported inadequate resources in their clinics to address SIL. Family medicine educators experience substantial rates of loneliness, particularly among minority groups, at levels exceeding those of their patients and the general population. Personal experiences with SIL appear to influence clinical practices and teaching. Before implementing widespread screening initiatives, the profession must address both providers' own social connectedness needs and the development of practical clinical resources.