Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely: Some Medical Students Experience Intense Loneliness. How Can We Understand and What Can We Do?
by Heba Gad, M.D.; Mary Blazek, M.D., MHPE | September 29, 2024
Article Citation: Keiner C, Nestsiarovich A, Celebi J, et al. Loneliness Among Medical Students, Physician Trainees and Faculty Physicians. Acad Psychiatry 2024; 48:339–345. DOI: 10.1007/s40596-023-01780-y
What is this article about?
This article explored loneliness and its relationship to burnout, depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among physicians and trainees by analyzing the results of an online suicide screening questionnaire. 10,000 students, trainees and physicians at one academic medical center were invited to complete the screening tool between 2009 and 2021. Of 2016 responses (a 20% response rate), 18% displayed intense loneliness, especially those under age 40, women and non-Whites. 20.9% of the medical students, 24.2% of the residents and fellows and 9.4% of the faculty physicians reported feeling lonely “a lot of the time or most of the time.”
Why should you read the article?
In 2023, the US surgeon general described loneliness as an epidemic in our society at large. Loneliness has been associated with adverse health outcomes, with a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. Pertinent to medical education, there is increased recognition and concern for the mental health needs of physicians and trainees. This is the first study to report the prevalence of loneliness among US medical students and residents and its link to suicide risk.
How can you use this article?
Medical educators can create and implement interventions to address loneliness and social isolation among medical students in hopes of reducing risk of other serious issues such as burnout, depression and suicidality. The authors provide suggestions and examples including scheduling group meetings to discuss work-life integration, resiliency exercises with mental health experts, supervision/peer support, student lounges and routine social events. Evaluation of the outcomes of these interventions provides opportunity for further exploration and scholarship.
Review Author: Heba Gad, M.D.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center (co-authored with Mary Blazek, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry), Ann Arbor, MI. Organization: Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry