Treatment burden for people with multimorbidity

CPMS code:  55019

Lead Network: West of England

Study Summary

One in two people over the age of 50 have more than one long term health condition (multiple long-term conditions or MLTC). People with MLTC put a lot of effort into managing their medicines and healthcare appointments – this is called treatment burden. This study focuses on people aged 18-65 years. If we understand people’s experiences, we might be able to design better services to meet their needs. It would also be helpful to have a short questionnaire to identify people who might need more support with treatment burden. We want to find out how health care services can support people with MLTC and reduce their treatment burden. We will do this in three ways: GPs will invite people with MLTC to take part in an interview with a researcher, either by phone, video, or face to face. The interview will ask about what it is like to live with MLTC, and their experiences of treatment burden. GPs will invite people with MLTC to complete a questionnaire about their experiences of treatment burden and primary care. These people will also be asked if they agree to the researchers accessing some information from their medical records. In addition to the research work, we will hold a series of stakeholder meetings with people with MLTC, GPs and people who organise GP services, to talk about what we have found and make recommendations to improve care. We will make efforts to include people from minority ethnic groups and those who have difficulties in accessing health care. We will work with local community groups and translate study materials into different languages. People with MLTC who take part in the study will receive a voucher to thank them for taking part. We have set up a patient and public involvement (PPI) group which will be involved throughout the study. 

The search files hosted on this website are based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria as described in the study protocol and have been built and tested with input from our GP Champion teams. Every effort is made to keep the search files  hosted here maintained and up-to-date. 

However, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to review the search and make any practice specific amendments as deemed necessary*. 

Please DO NOT mail out to patients until you have confirmation and sign off ('green light') from the study team.

*You should advise the study team of any amendments you make to the search.

Disclaimer:

Please note the resources provided are designed to assist with the identification of potentially suitable patients and to appropriately code these patients if required.

These resources have been developed based on the criteria provided by the relevant study team and whilst every effort has been made to make them universally implementable they rely on read codes and the data stored in the individual practice's clinical system. These resources are intended to assist with identification but should be used in conjunction with clinical oversight and a clear understanding of the study parameters.

While we endeavor to keep the information, tools and resources provided up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the tools provided for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of the tools provided.