Loneliness, social isolation and frequent GP visits

• Applicant: Professor Dr. André Hajek
• Subject Area: Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 567035154

Using a population-based longitudinal survey in Germany, the DEAS study, this project aims to examine the relationship of loneliness and social isolation with frequent attendance of general practitioners using specific regression models for longitudinal data. The sample is considered representative of community-dwelling individuals aged 40 and older in Germany. This knowledge is essential to avoid a disproportionate use of services in the future – and to maintain or increase the satisfaction of patients and general practitioners alike. This is possible because loneliness and social isolation are modifiable. This project can also be seen as a contribution to combating loneliness and isolation (see the WHO/UN Decade of Healthy Ageing campaign) – especially if a positive association between loneliness or isolation and the probability of frequent attendance longitudinally could be identified.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants