A primary care research agenda for multiple long-term conditions: a Delphi study

Stokes, J. , Bower, P., Smith, S. M., Guthrie, B., Blakeman, T., Valderas, J. M. and Salisbury, C. (2023) A primary care research agenda for multiple long-term conditions: a Delphi study. British Journal of General Practice, (doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2023.0163) (PMID:38164536) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Background: Multiple long-term conditions (MLTC, multimorbidity) has been identified as a priority research topic, globally. Research priorities from the perspectives of patients and research funders have been described. Although most care for MLTC is delivered in primary care, the priorities of academic primary care have not been identified. Aim: To identify and prioritise the academic primary care research agenda for MLTC. Design and Setting: Three-phase study with primary care MLTC researchers from the UK and other high-income countries. Method: (i) Open-ended survey question; (ii) face-to-face workshop to elaborate questions with researchers from the UK and Ireland; (iii) and a two-round Delphi consensus survey with international multimorbidity researchers. Results: Twenty-five primary care researchers responded to the initial open-ended survey and generated 84 potential research questions. In the subsequent workshop discussion (18 participants), this list was reduced to 31 questions. The long list of 31 research questions was included in round one of the Delphi; 27 of the 50 (54%) round one and 24 of the 27 to round two (89%) invitees took part in the Delphi. Ten questions reached final consensus. These focused broadly on addressing complexity of the patient group with (a) development of new models of care for multimorbidity, (b) methods and data development. Conclusion: These high priority research questions offer funders and researchers a basis upon which to build future grant calls and research plans. Addressing complexity in our research is needed to inform improvements in our systems of care and for prevention.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research for a workshop held in Manchester, UK, on 25th April 2022, “Developing an updated agenda for Primary Care research on Multiple Long-Term Conditions (Multimorbidity)”. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Susan Smith is supported through HRB Collaborative Doctoral Award in Multimorbidity, grant reference CDA-2013-003. Jonathan Stokes was additionally supported by an MRC Fellowship, grant reference MR/T027517/1. Peter Bower and Chris Salisbury are NIHR Senior Investigators.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stokes, Dr Jonathan
• Authors: Stokes, J., Bower, P., Smith, S. M., Guthrie, B., Blakeman, T., Valderas, J. M., and Salisbury, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: British Journal of General Practice
• Journal Abbr.: BJGP
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• ISSN: 0960-1643
• ISSN (Online): 1478-5242
• Published Online: 20 December 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in British Journal of General Practice 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license