‘The Worst Part Is Not the Pain; It Is the Loneliness’: Detecting and Managing the Silent Epidemic of Loneliness (FR477)

It is well known that loneliness is a significant risk factor for premature mortality and is comparable with the effects of smoking. However, little attention has been paid to the terrible impact of loneliness and social isolation experienced by seriously ill patients. On the provider side, palliative clinicians often feel profoundly isolated from the traditional curative medical culture exclusively focused on diseases. Being alone and loneliness are different but related. Social isolation is the objective physical separation from other people while loneliness is the subjective distress feeling of being alone or separated.

Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - January 25, 2020 Category: Palliative Care Authors: V.J. Periyakoil, Timothy E. Quill Source Type: research