Abordando la soledad en la formación de profesionales sanitarios y en la práctica clínica

Population aging poses a challenge for public health, where loneliness emerges as a critical factor with a significant impact on the physical, mental, and social health of older adults. It is associated with depression, cognitive decline, chronic diseases, and increased mortality, affecting clinical decision-making and treatment adherence. Despite its relevance, health sciences training programs, particularly in medicine and nursing, do not adequately address this issue, creating a gap in professional education. It is essential for healthcare professionals to acquire skills to identify and manage loneliness, including empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication with older patients. However, current training prioritizes technical aspects without integrating the emotional and social factors that influence patient well-being. An innovative educational strategy is proposed to incorporate loneliness as a social determinant of health within health sciences curricula. This training would include workshops on communication with older adults, clinical simulations focused on loneliness, and an interdisciplinary approach involving social work, psychology, and medicine. This strategy would promote more comprehensive care, improving the quality of life and well-being of older adults.