Older people with complex multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), defined as those living with four or more long-term conditions, have poorer quality of life, increased mortality, and higher use of health care services and costs. Self-management support (SMS) provided by physiotherapists has been shown to help older people with MLTCs and their carers better manage their conditions, but the quality of its delivery varies across practice. This qualitative study aims to co-produce an evidence-based, patient-centred communication guide delivered by physiotherapists to improve SMS and enhance independent living for older people with complex MLTCs and their carers in the home setting. The methods used in the study include ethnographic fieldwork comprising observations of physiotherapy practice, situated interviews with older people with MLTCs and their carers, focus groups with physiotherapists, stakeholder workshops to co-produce the SMS communication guide and subsequent testing of this in practice. Physiotherapists from two community therapy teams in two regions of England (Hampshire and Dorset), and patients with complex MLTCs and their carers were recruited to the study. We used a reflexive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data informed by a sociological understanding of person-centred care as applied to self-management support. This presentation will present the ethnographic findings from the study, which will inform our co-produced SMS communication guide.

Authors:
Euan Sadler, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Christoph Heuser, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Pippa Collins, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Fiona Stevenson, University College London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Euan Sadler is currently an Associate Professor of Social Science, Health and Ageing in the School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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