Loneliness
has been linked to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare utilization.
The UCLA
Loneliness Scale is an evidence based tool that accurately assesses
loneliness among patients. This tool is free for anyone to use, and you do not
need permission to use it from its creator. You will notice that the scale does
not ever use the word “lonely” and simply asks questions that are closely
related to feeling lonely.
Another tool to help
measure loneliness (and other social and behavioral determinants of health) is
the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks, andExperiences (PRAPARE), a national effort to help health
centers and other providers collect the data needed to better understand and
act on their patients’ social determinants of health. With data on the social
determinants of health, health centers and other providers can define and
document the increased complexity of their patients, transform care with
integrated services and community partnerships to meet the needs of their
patients, advocate for change in their communities, and demonstrate the value
they bring to patients, communities, and payers.
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