STUDY | DESIGN | SAMPLE SIZE | FEMALE SEX, % | AGE, Y | OBJECTIVES | COUNTRY | CONDITIONS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bayliss et al,7 2003 | Qualitative study, semistructured personal interviews | 16 | 81 | Range 31–70 | Identify perceived barriers to self-care among patients with comorbid chronic diseases | US | 2 or more common chronic conditions (4.3 on average) |
Noël et al,8 2007 | Cross-sectional survey | 720 | 10 | Median 57 | Examine the self-management learning needs and willingness to see nonphysician providers of patients with multimorbidity compared with patients with single chronic illnesses | US | Multiple chronic conditions vs single condition |
Bair et al,28 2009 | Qualitative study using focus groups | 18 | 61 | Range 27–84 | Identify barriers and facilitators to self-management of chronic musculoskeletal pain among patients with comorbid pain and depression | US | Pain, comorbid depression |
Bayliss et al,29 2008 | Qualitative investigation | 26 | 50 | Range 65–84 | Explore processes of care desired by elderly patients who have multimorbidities that might present competing demands for patients and providers | US | Diabetes, depression, or osteoarthritis (4–16 comorbidities) |
Roberto et al,30 2005 | Qualitative analysis | 17 | 100 | Range 69–84 | Examine the health care practices and management strategies used by 17 older women with multiple chronic conditions | US | Heart disease and diabetes; heart disease and osteoporosis; or all 3 |
Jowsey et al,31 2009 | Semistructured interviews and focus group | 52 | 46 | Range 45–85 | Identify the common challenges comorbidity poses to patients and caregivers in their experiences of self-management, detail the views and perceptions of health professionals about these challenges, and discuss policy options to improve health care for people with comorbid chronic illness | Australia | 1 or more of diabetes, COPD, or CHF |
Noël et al,32 2005 | Focus groups using a series of open-ended questions | 60 | 20 | Range 30–80 | Explore the collaborative care needs and preferences in primary care patients with multiple chronic illnesses | US | 2 or more chronic illnesses |
Bardach et al,33 2011 | One-on-one interviews | 42 | 71 | Mean 63, range 51–76 | Explore how vulnerable rural residents described social support in the context of self-management for multiple chronic conditions | US | All patients with multiple chronic conditions |
Beverly et al,34 2011 | Qualitative study, focus groups | 32 | 56 | Range 60–88 | Explore older patients’ perceived effects of chronic comorbid conditions on type 2 diabetes self-management | US | Type 2 diabetes and 1 or more other conditions |
Dickson et al,35 2011 | Qualitative descriptive meta-analysis techniques | 99 | 34 | Mean 59.6 | Explore how comorbidity influences heart failure self-care | US | Heart failure and at least 1 comorbid condition |
Townsend et al,36 2003 | Qualitative longitudinal study with in-depth interviews every 5 y | 23 | 57 | Range 53–58 | Examine attitudes toward drug use among middle-aged respondents with high levels of chronic morbidity | Scotland | 4 or more chronic conditions |
Townsend et al,37 2008 | Qualitative longitudinal study with in-depth interviews every 5 y | 23 | 57 | Range 58–63 | Investigate reasons for frequent consultation among people with multiple morbidity but contrasting consulting rates | Scotland | 4 or more chronic conditions |
Bayliss et al,38 2007 | Cross-sectional telephone survey | 352 | 65 | Range 65–74 | Identify barriers to self-management that were associated with lower perceived health status and, secondarily, with lower reported physical functioning for a population of seniors with multimorbidities | US | Average 8.7 chronic medical conditions |
Corser and Dontje,39 2011 | Qualitative study | 18 | 78 | Mean 63.7, range 34–83 | Explore the perceived health care needs of adults with numerous comorbid conditions by focusing on their self-management practices and relationships with primary care providers | US | At least 4 comorbid conditions |
Loeb,40 2006 | Focus group | 28 | 69 | Seniors | Identify strategies used by community-dwelling elderly African American patients to cope with their chronic health conditions | US | Patients with at least 2 chronic conditions (a total of 14 different types of conditions among patients) |
Morris et al,41 2011 | Longitudinal qualitative study using semistructured interviews | 21 | 48 | Mean 93, range 36–84 | Examine what influences self-management priorities for individuals with multiple long-term conditions and how this changes over time | UK | 2 or more conditions, (must have 1 of IBS, COPD, or diabetes) |
Schoenberg et al,42 2011 | Qualitative study, 3-stage in-depth interview | 20 | 85 | Mean 55, range 41 and above | Improve understanding of the ways in which vulnerable, rural residents experience and manage multiple morbidity | US | Average of 4 chronic, self-reported health conditions (including hypertension, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, and numerous others) |
Sells et al,43 2009 | Qualitative, longitudinal retrospective study; semistructured interviews with 3 questionnaires | 33 | 70 | Mean 50.5 | Describe and better understand adults’ responses to the onset, accrual, and influence of multiple chronic conditions and to social support in adapting to consequent difficulties | US | All participants carried multiple medical diagnoses |
Whittemore and Dixon,44 2008 | Mixed-method descriptive design, semistructured interview | 26 | 63 | Range 25–80 | Explore how adults with a chronic illness integrate the illness experience into their life contexts | US | Average of 4 comorbidities (most participants had more than 1 chronic condition) |
Schoenberg et al,45 2009 | In-depth interviews | 41 | 85 | Mean 70.4, range 55–90 | Investigate which comorbidities older adults prioritize, why, and how they accommodate these conditions, focusing on elderly patients with 2 or more chronic conditions and low socioeconomic status | US | Hypertension, arthritis, and diabetes |
Leach and Schoenberg,46 2008 | Interview, qualitative data | 41 | 85 | Range 55–84 | Increase understanding of how older adults attempt to manage multiple morbidities and retain control of their health | US | High blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes |
Warren-Findlow and Prohaska,47 2008 | Qualitative study with multiple in-depth interviews conducted over 2 y | 12 | 100 | Mean 62, range 50–73 | Describe the specific type and extent of social support provided by family members to older African American women managing chronic disease | US | In addition to heart disease, participants self-reported having other chronic illnesses: hypertension, arthritis, obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, sleep apnea, and diabetes |
Sakraida and Robinson,48 2009 | Semistructured focus groups | 12 | 50 | Mean 58 | Describe the transition and self-management experiences of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and stage 3 chronic kidney disease | US | Type 2 diabetes and stage 3 chronic kidney disease |
CHF—congestive heart failure, COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, IBS—irritable bowel syndrome, UK—United Kingdom, US—United States.