Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, PhD, MPA, MA; Rebecca Mullen, MD, MPH; Andy Pasternak, MD, MS; Christina M. Hester, PhD, MPH; Elisabeth Callen, PhD, GStat; Edward James Bujold, MD; Jennifer K. Carroll MD, MPH; Kim S. Kimminau, PhD
Corresponding Author: Samuel Ofei-Dodoo, PhD, MPA, MA; University of Kansas. Email: sofeidodoo@kumc.edu
Section: Original Research
Publication: June 3, 2021
Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of loneliness, burnout, and depressive symptoms from a national sample of family medicine physicians. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 401 physicians who were members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and AAFP National Research Network between December 7, 2019 and January 20, 2020. The study participants completed an anonymous, 30-item survey measuring loneliness, burnout, symptoms of depression, fatigue, in addition to providing demographic information. Results: The response rates were 16.3% (401/2456) for all the physicians, 7.0% (113/1606) for the AAFP NRN member physicians, and 33.9% (288/850) for the AAFP member insight physicians. The prevalence of loneliness, burnout, and depressive symptoms was 44.9% (165/367), 45.1% (181/401), and 44.3% (163/368) respectively. The physicians who experienced a greater feeling of loneliness compared to those who experienced lesser feeling of loneliness were more likely to report at least one manifestation of burnout (69.1% vs. 27.4%, P<0.01); screen positive for depression (66.0% vs. 27.6%, P<0.01); and experience a higher degree of fatigue (59.5% vs. 32.4%, P<0.01). Depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 5.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.64-7.94; P<0.001), overwhelming exhaustion (OR = 7.19; 95% CI, 4.03-12.02; P<0.001), and burnout (OR = 4.61; 95% CI, 2.96-7.19; P<0.001) were associated with loneliness status. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that loneliness is common in practicing family medicine physicians and is significantly associated with burnout and depression. Future work is needed to understand the various interactions and relationships among loneliness, burnout, and depression to help inform effective interventions.