Exploring the Impact of Social Connection on Patient Wellbeing

Around a third of people in industrialised countries are affected by loneliness. This has been shown to adversely affect health. Amid rapid technological advancements, recognising the importance of human connection is pivotal in the medical profession. This review explores the impact of social connection on patient wellbeing, suggesting improvements to patient-centred care. Literature was searched by looking for key words in titles and abstracts: (“Social connection” OR “Human connection”) AND (“Wellbeing”) AND (“Hospital” OR “Patient”). Papers selected required sufficient relevancy to the topic and collection of empirical data from a patient population. Patient-HCP relationships foster confidence and emotional validation within the patient but can also harm patient wellbeing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment limited development of patient-HCP relationships, leading to reported feelings of isolation, evidencing the importance of building rapport. Additionally, technology could connect inpatients with loved ones, improving their health outcomes. Collaborative models of care can connect patients with similar experiences, showing to be empowering. Review findings indicate that social connection generally enhances patient well-being and may guide approaches to improve care. Investigating the correlation between socialisation and wellbeing, as well as the optimal balance between connection and privacy in long-stay care settings, could benefit patient care.