Purpose: This study aimed to examine prevalence of loneliness among senior physicians and identify associations between high loneliness and other personal and social factors. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of physicians aged ≥65 was conducted between February 26 and March 12, 2024. Loneliness was measured using the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Information about demographics and personal, social, and health factors was collected. Results: Of the 10,090 participants the majority were male (74.0%), ages 65-72 (50.8%), white (81.3%), and heterosexual (93.3%). The mean loneliness score was 38.04. Nearly 1 in 5 (18.0%) experienced high loneliness, including 14.1% with moderately high loneliness and 3.9% with very high loneliness. Multivariable analysis, after controlling for social and personal factors, demonstrated that being divorced/separated (OR 2.78 [95% CI, 1.79-4.31]), widowed (OR 2.52 [95% CI, 1.60-3.97]), or single (OR 2.70 [95% CI, 1.66-4.40]) were associated with high loneliness. Participants with a chronic health condition (OR 1.26 [95% CI, 1.02-1.60]) or a chronic health condition and a disability (OR 2.18 [95% CI, 1.48-3.20]) had higher odds of high loneliness than those without either. Not having an annual wellness visit was associated with higher odds of high loneliness (OR 1.58 [95% CI, 1.21-2.06]), as was not spending time on hobbies (OR 5.45 [95% CI, 4.03-7.25]). Conclusions: Nearly 1 in 5 senior physicians experience loneliness, and high loneliness is associated with personal and social factors. Policymakers and organizations that employ, provide care for, or support senior-aged physicians should ensure policies and programs support the social and personal needs of this population.

Keywords: loneliness; physician well-being; seniors; social isolation.

Copyright © 2025 The Author(s).

目的：本研究旨在调查资深医生的孤独感流行率，并确定高孤独感与其他个人和社会因素之间的关联。方法：这项横断面调查于2024年2月26日至3月12日对年龄≥65岁的医生进行。使用20项UCLA孤独量表测量孤独感。收集了人口统计学信息和个人、社会和健康方面的数据。结果：在10,090名参与者中，大多数是男性（74.0%），年龄为65-72岁（50.8%），白人（81.3%）以及异性恋者（93.3%）。平均孤独得分为38.04。近五分之一的人（18.0%）经历了高孤独感，其中包括14.1%的中度高孤独感和3.9%的高度高孤独感。多变量分析，在控制了社会和个人因素后，结果显示离婚/分居（OR 2.78 [95% CI, 1.79-4.31]）、丧偶（OR 2.52 [95% CI, 1.60-3.97]）或单身（OR 2.70 [95% CI, 1.66-4.40]）与高孤独感有关。患有慢性健康状况（OR 1.26 [95% CI, 1.02-1.60]）或者同时患有慢性健康状况和残疾（OR 2.18 [95% CI, 1.48-3.20]）的参与者比没有这些情况的人更容易经历高孤独感。没有进行年度体检与高孤独感的风险较高有关（OR 1.58 [95% CI, 1.21-2.06]），同样，不参与兴趣爱好的人也与此相关（OR 5.45 [95% CI, 4.03-7.25]）。结论：近五分之一的资深医生经历了孤独感，高孤独感与个人和社会因素有关。政策制定者和雇佣、提供护理或支持老年医生的组织应确保其政策和项目能够满足这一群体的社会和个人需求。

关键词：孤独；医生福祉；老年人；社会孤立。

版权 © 2025 The Author(s)。