ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 274
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
A
B
C
Activity changes in MULtiple long-term conditions To
Identify decline (MULTI): An intervention development study
Miss Ishbel Henderson
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
University of Oxford
This research looks at using physical activity changes as an early warning signal for patients with
multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs). MLTCs are a rising problem among older adults globally.
Research and guidelines focus on individual diseases resulting in extremely fragmented treatment,
adding to the burden of care for these already vulnerable patients.
When people with MLTCs deteriorate, they can display general, non-specific symptoms meaning
detection may be delayed. At present, there is limited research on measures which could identify such
deterioration within community settings and therefore form the basis of earlier intervention. A general
measure, such as how active an individual is, might allow initial identification of decline and trigger a
more targeted approach to assess the underlying reason for deterioration.
Restricted activity appears to manifest earlier than the routinely used single condition clinical markers
and has been identified both in the last year of life and during periods of illness. Identification of
changes in activity could be facilitated using technology to both actively and passively monitor
for decline.
A mixed-methods approach will be taken to co-produce an intervention to identify changes in activity.
This research can be broken down into three phases: planning, development and optimisation.
Existing literature will be synthesised with new qualitative research in the form of interviews, think-aloud
studies, focus groups and user testing with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. This
project started in February 2023 and aims to run for 18 months. Preliminary results from Phases 1 and
2 will be ready for presentation in October 2023.
This research will strive to enhance independence for the frail elderly, with improved medical
outcomes, whilst reducing the burden on healthcare systems. It will also endeavour to provide a more
sensitive outcome measure for future studies, such as deprescribing.
272