Self-management support in people with multiple long-term conditions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Self-management support in people with multiple long-term conditions in the post-COVID-19 era: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
324006
Contact name
Michelle Hadjiconstantinou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DGACR, Open Science Framework registration link
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) are defined as the existence of two or more long-term conditions in a single individual. These conditions can include physical diseases, mental health conditions or infectious diseases. MLTCs are associated with a reduced life expectancy, a poorer quality of life and increased health service utilisation. Self-management can involve managing emotions, organising medications and setting goals, to reduce the burden of these conditions on individuals. Support from health care professionals can encourage and empower individuals to self-manage their conditions. However, people with MLTCs may experience additional difficulties with self-management, due to the number of symptoms which may impact their daily life and the need to organise multiple healthcare appointments across different services. The COVID-19 pandemic may have also caused new problems for the self-management of MLTCs.
Previous research has mainly focused on self-management support of single conditions and healthcare guidelines tend to be focused on single conditions, with less focus on other conditions individuals may have. There is a need to explore self-management and experiences amongst people with MLTCs and HCPs to increase understanding of MLTCs and self-management support. The impact of COVID-19 on self-management and the delivery of self-management support amongst people with MLTCs needs to be explored.
The populations of interest are people with MLTCs and health care professionals who support people with MLTCs. This qualitative study will use either interviews or focus groups to explore their experiences and perceptions of MLTCs and self-management support. This study will also explore how these experiences have changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
These cohorts will be recruited across the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and primary care, with additional recruitment via social media, posters, email lists and training events.This PhD is funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East Midlands.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0173
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion