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Multimorbidity: will it stand the test of time?
1Older People's Medicine Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Age and Ageing
|October 17, 2017
Summary
The term multimorbidity is increasingly popular but may not be patient-centered. Alternative concepts like complexity and frailty may better support holistic care for patients with multiple health conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Multimorbidity is recognized as patients often having multiple health problems.
- There is a growing emphasis on holistic, person-centered care.
- The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released a multimorbidity management guideline in 2016.
Purpose of the Study:
- To question the sustainability of the term multimorbidity.
- To propose alternative concepts for managing patients with multiple health conditions.
- To evaluate the utility of multimorbidity in clinical practice and healthcare planning.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the term multimorbidity.
- Literature review on patient-centered care and aging.
- Conceptual comparison with complexity and frailty.
Main Results:
- Multimorbidity is criticized for being doctor-centered, not patient-centered, and not promoting healthy aging.
- The term's non-specific nature limits its clinical and planning utility.
- Existing definitions of multimorbidity apply to large population segments.
Conclusions:
- The term multimorbidity may not be sustainable or optimal for patient-centered care.
- Complexity and frailty are proposed as more suitable concepts.
- These alternative concepts could enhance care for patients with multiple co-existing health problems for clinicians, commissioners, and researchers.
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