Multiple long term conditions research group
Our overall aim is to develop research ideas that look at the needs and experiences of people with MLTCs, and the best ways to treat, care for and support them.
“Multimorbidity has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing health services, both presently and in the coming decades.” (Pearson-Stuttard et al., 2019)
Our objectives
- To identify and build a group of academics interested in developing and supporting research on multiple long-term conditions
- Draw on previous work to agree on research priorities for the research group
- To support the sharing and generation of ideas and collaborations for future grant applications
- To support and include early career researchers to developing expertise in the area
Why is this research group important?
- Around one quarter of adults in England have a ‘long-term condition’ (LTC) - a disorder that is unlikely to be cured, and so has to managed as part of the person’s life
- Many NHS services, guidelines, and most research are organised around single conditions
- Many people who have one LTC will also have others - the medical term for this is ‘multimorbidity’
Examples of Keele studies
POST - A randomised clinical trial that studied the effects of implementing a point of care electronic template to promote routine anxiety and depression case finding in patients consulting with clinical osteoarthritis
ENHANCE - A pilot randomised trial set in general practice which aimed to improve care for people with long term conditions (osteoarthritis, anxiety and depression)
INCLUDE – A feasibility study to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led integrated care review for people with inflammatory rheumatological conditions in primary care
CHEMIST - A pilot trial of a psychosocial intervention delivered by community pharmacies to prevent depression in adults with subthreshold depression and long-term conditions
ISWITCHED - Developing and user testing iSWITCHED (implementing SWITCHing EDucational intervention) to support switching antipsychotics to improve physical health outcomes in people with severe mental illness.
SYMPHONI – a systems approach to mental and physical health in people with long-term conditions
MODS – A trial of a psychological intervention for older adults with multiple long-term conditions and depressive symptoms
PP4M - Personalised Primary care for Patients with Multimorbidity (PP4M) – a primary care service improvement initiative