Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42291122›Full record

ArticleJournal of multimorbidity and comorbidity

Recommendations for conducting qualitative research on multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) from a qualitative methods community of practice.

Sue Bellass, Alison Ellwood, Stella Arakelyan, Sarah Pauline Bowers, Felicity Dewhurst, Stephanie J Hanley, Brenda Hayanga, Sarah A Hopkins, Nicola Howe, Emily Hunt and 11 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of multimorbidity and comorbidity. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Public Perceptions of Multiple Long-Term Conditions: An Analysis of Mass Observation Accounts.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Sue BellassAGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9383-4116
Alison EllwoodAcademic Unit of Ageing and Stroke Research, Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8632-1830
Stella ArakelyanAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Sarah Pauline BowersSchool of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0722-8318
Felicity DewhurstPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Stephanie J HanleyDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Brenda HayangaDepartment of Global Health and Social Medicine, Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy, King's College London, London, UK.
Sarah A HopkinsPalliative and End of Life Care Group in Cambridge, Primary Care Unit, Department for Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Nicola HoweNIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
Emily HuntDepartment of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Brunel University of London, London, UK.
Grace LewisAGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Kate LippiettSchool of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Erin McCloskeyInstitute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK.
Sara PretoriusNIHR HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
Domna SalonenNIHR Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaboration, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.
Elizabeth Z Shoemark-SellsFaculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, University of Swansea, Swansea, UK.
Alexandra ThompsonPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Freya ThompsonAGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Zoë VowlesGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust/Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
Heather WalkerSchool of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Hannah WheatCommunity and Primary Care Research Centre, Peninsula Medical School (Faculty of Health), University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The growing prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) - two or more long-term health conditions - has been recognised as one of the most significant health challenges facing contemporary societies. People living with MLTC experience poorer outcomes than people with one long-term condition and may be disadvantaged by health care systems configured for single conditions. Recognition of the significance of these inequities has led to increased investments in MLTC research, and a body of qualitative literature on lived experience is developing. However, conducting qualitative MLTC research presents challenges to researchers. Encompassing an extensive range of condition combinations, the MLTC population is incredibly diverse, and constructing a sampling strategy for the small numbers of participants typical in qualitative inquiry requires careful thought. Additionally, MLTC is a construct not embedded in public consciousness, which may affect participant self-identification and research engagement. Furthermore, the risk of issues commonly experienced in qualitative health research, such as participant distress and low recruitment rates, can be exacerbated due to the ill-health experienced by some people living with MLTC. In this article, we share reflections from a cross-institution Qualitative Methods Community of Practice in MLTC Research, describing the challenges experienced and practical steps taken to address difficulties and mitigate risks. We aim to provide tips and guidance to qualitative health researchers new to MLTC inquiry to support planning and delivery of their research in this rapidly growing field.

Indexed as

community of practicemethods guidancemultimorbiditymultiple long-term conditionsqualitative research methods

Identifiers

PMID42291122
PMCPMC13254441

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.