Self-management support for older people with multi-morbidity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Co-production of an evidence based, patient-centred communication guide delivered by physiotherapists to improve self-management support for older people with complex multiple long-term conditions and their carers in the home setting
IRAS ID
349187
Contact name
Euan Sadler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 16 days
Research summary
A growing number of older people with different health problems report difficulties dealing with them at the same time and have poorer health and quality of life. ‘Self-management support’ helps patients, family members and carers manage the impact of this on their everyday lives. Physiotherapists are well placed to offer this support, but physiotherapist support varies. We need to understand what support meets people’s needs and provides equal access. This 14- month study funded by the National Institute of Health & Care Research aims to produce a communication guide to help physiotherapists to support older patients and their carers to self-manage multiple health problems in their own homes.
We will recruit 12 older people aged 60 years and over with multiple health problems and their carers from different backgrounds and 8 physiotherapists from 2 community teams in Hampshire and Dorset.
First, over 10 weeks, we will observe up to 3 physiotherapy sessions for each patient and carer in their own homes at different times and interview them about their experiences. When observations have been completed, groups of physiotherapists who delivered care will be asked about their experiences of supporting people to manage multiple health problems. We will analyse the data and existing evidence to develop a communication guide for physiotherapists.
Second, we will conduct 2 online workshops involving 3 older people with multiple health problems, 2 carers, 3 physiotherapists and 2 physiotherapy managers to develop the content, format and outcomes of the communication guide.
Finally, we will train 2 physiotherapists from each community team and observe how they use the communication guide with 6 patients and their carers asking them to comment on their experiences, and interviewing physiotherapists about what worked and what could be improved to refine the communication guide which will be tested in a future study.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0132
Date of REC Opinion
30 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion