As podiatrists, you know that loneliness is a growing public health concern in Australia, with significant implications for physical and mental wellbeing. With Loneliness Awareness Week happening between 4 and 10 August, you have a unique opportunity to help, particularly considering the growing body of evidence around social prescribing.
Given time is probably not on your side with workforce shortages, here are some quick but powerful ways to support patients who may experience loneliness.
These tips are designed to help you to support your patients who may be experiencing loneliness, but in a way that is practical and targeted.
While it’s tempting to suggest a patient goes for a walk to support their mobility and mental health, sometimes, this is too broad to prompt any meaningful action. The key can lie in being specific, with the context around an intervention such as walking.
For example, instead of saying “Try to get out and walk for 20 minutes a day.” You could say, “This local walking group meets on Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 10am – would you like me to refer you?” Only you can accurately gauge how far to take this, but it can make a difference.
Examples may include a forest therapy group (group walks) or a local ramblers club (Google a club in your area). Or organised groups such as a tennis club, bowling club, mentor walks, a ‘parkrun’ group, or a local Heart Foundation Walking group.
These kinds of interactions also support a much larger preventative health care picture, which aligns with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
If you sense a patient may be experiencing loneliness, and you are keen to find a way that supports their mobility as well as their mental health, consider peer-led activities.
This approach can be particularly helpful for patients who may not want to socialise without some kind of supportive structure or facilitated agenda. Examples include peer support programs, where individuals with shared experiences provide mutual support.
These facilitated community programs are gaining traction in allied health. They are particularly effective for people managing chronic conditions, mobility issues, or adjusting to life changes such as retirement or bereavement.
You can refer patients to local peer-led initiatives such as the local PCYC, PROBUS clubs, a Toastmasters club, a bridge club or structured volunteering opportunities through entities such as St Vincent de Paul Society or Barnardos.
Evidence from Mind Australia shows that peer support is a powerful tool in early intervention for psychosocial disability, improving both social inclusion and health outcomes.
Given some patients may be averse to exercise, remind them of the power of incidental exercise through co-designed programs—where community members help shape the services they use. These are vast in nature but can include working in a local community garden, joining an intergenerational playgroup, volunteering in aged care, or as a scout or girl guides leader.
If you are able to encourage such community groups to share their brochures with you, or to be open for inclusion in your next community newsletter, this may be a simple way to expose your patients to opportunities for incidental movement and community connection.
Podiatrists can support this by connecting patients with local councils or neighbourhood houses that run co-designed programs, such as walking groups, art collectives, or intergenerational projects. Even displaying flyers or newsletters in the clinic can spark interest.
The University of Sydney’s research shows that when people feel they have agency in shaping their social environments, they are more likely to engage and less likely to feel lonely.
If your patient may not be comfortable calling up a local community group or sending an enquiry email to get involved, encourage them to go online as the first step for connection. You could recommend user-friendly platforms like Meetup or GoVolunteer to help patients find local events, clubs, or volunteering opportunities that match their interests. No phone calls or emails required, they can simply turn up on the day and get moving in a way that works for them.
If your patient is not mobile but has shown interest in social prescribing opportunities, don’t underestimate the power of digital peer support groups and YouTube videos with low impact, non-weight bearing exercises. Of course, verify that the exercises are safe for your patient, and check in on their progress as they continue. These tools can be particularly helpful for rural or remote patients who may lack access to in-person services.
Evidence from the Centre for Mental Health at the University of Melbourne supports the use of digital interventions as part of a broader psychosocial support strategy, especially when tailored to individual needs.
Given the workforce shortages and the pressure this puts on podiatrists, you may not have as much time as you would like for an in-depth exploration into your patient’s mental wellbeing. This is where the power of a single question can help. Consider asking one extra question during your consultations (if you don’t do this already). Perhaps try asking, “Have you had a chance to get out and about lately?”
As Loneliness Awareness Week approaches, you can make a difference in a way that supports your limited time and resources. By integrating these quick-win, lesser-known, evidence-based strategies into your practice, you’re supporting whole-person health.
© Copyright 2021 The Australian Podiatry Association
