Problems and challenges in relation to treatment of patients with multimorbidity: Doctors’ views and attitudes.

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Objective. To explore views and attitudes among general practitioners (GPs) and researchers in the field of general practicetowards problems and challenges related to treatment of patients with multimorbidity.

Setting. A workshop entitled Patientswith multimorbidity in general practice held during the Nordic Congress of General Practice in Tampere, Finland, 2013.

Subjects. A total of 180 GPs and researchers.

Design. Data for this summary report originate from audio-recorded, transcribedverbatim plenary discussions as well as 76 short questionnaires answered by attendees during the workshop. Thedata were analysed using framework analysis.

Results. (i) Complex care pathways and clinical guidelines developed forsingle diseases were identified as very challenging when handling patients with multimorbidity; (ii) insufficient cooperationbetween the professionals involved in the care of multimorbid patients underlined the GPs’ impression of a fragmentedhealth care system; (iii) GPs found it challenging to establish a good dialogue and prioritize problems with patients withinthe timeframe of a normal consultation; (iv) the future role of the GP was discussed in relation to diminishing healthinequality, and current payment systems were criticized for not matching the treatment patterns of patients with multimorbidity.

Conclusion. The participants supported the development of a future research strategy to improve the treatment ofpatients with multimorbidity. Four main areas were identified, which need to be investigated further to improve care forthis steadily growing patient group.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
Vol/bind33
Udgave nummer2
Sider (fra-til)121-126
Antal sider6
ISSN0281-3432
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2015

ID: 149038537