a) Multi-perspective experiences of uncertainty in multimorbidity
Research contact
Dr Simon Noah Etkind, Clinical Lecturer in Palliative Care
Email: sde23@medschl.cam.ac.uk
ORCiD: 0000-0003-2863-8893
Twitter: @simonnoahetkind
Project length
2020 – 2023
Summary
A high proportion of those aged over 75 live with at least two serious illnesses (multimorbidity) and may experience uncertainty about their illness, care and the future. Similarly, those caring for them including informal family caregivers, health & social care professionals may experience uncertainties about how best to support older people with multimorbidity.
This research aims to explore experiences of uncertainty in older people with multimorbidity from multiple perspectives, in order to find ways of improving care. The first stage is to conduct a systematic literature review (see https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=227480 for details) and synthesise existing knowledge in this area. Later stages of the project will involve interviews with older people, their carers, and health & social care professionals to explore in depth the different ways in which people experience and cope with uncertainty, and development of new models of care for older people with multimorbidity.
Funding
HEE Clinical Lectureship
Outputs
Direct outputs will follow. Please see the below for some relevant background papers:
- Etkind SN, Bristowe K, Bailey K, Selman L, Murtagh FEM. How does uncertainty shape patient experience in advanced illness? A secondary analysis of qualitative data. Palliative Medicine 2016; 31(2) 171 – 180 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216316647610
- Etkind SN, Lovell N, Nicholson C, Higginson IJ, and Murtagh FEM. Finding a ‘new normal’ following acute illness: A qualitative study of influences on frail older people’s care preferences. Palliative Medicine 2019, 33(3): 301–311 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216318817706
- Koffman J, Gross J, Etkind SN, Selman L. Uncertainty and COVID-19: how are we to respond? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 2020 113(6): 211-216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076820930665