Dr Claire Nolan (Lecturer in Physiotherapy), Dr Emily Hunt (Lecturer in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences) and Dr Kei Long Cheung (Senior Lecturer in Public Health), from Brunel University London, organised a seminar series on multiple long-term conditions. The aim of the series was to stimulate debate on this topic, set-up a patient and public involvement group, identify research priorities and to facilitate inter-disciplinary researchers to develop a research team and grant idea.
The first webinar, which explored current challenges and research opportunities in multiple long-term conditions, took place in January 2023 and was attended by 63 academics, clinicians and members of the public. Professor Christina Victor (Professor of Gerontology and Public Health, Brunel University London) introduced the concept of multiple long-term conditions including the variety of definitions. Dr Brenda Hayanga (Research Fellow, King's College London) described intersectionality and health inequalities in health and multiple long-term conditions. Dr Gyuchan Thomas Jun (Reader in Socio-technical System Design, Loughborough University) discussed multiple long-term conditions amongst people living with intellectual disabilities. The talks were followed by a panel discussion which included debate around the definition of multiple long-term conditions, as well as a discussion on research opportunities and the challenges of undertaking research in this population.
The second webinar took place in March 2023 and aimed to address some of the challenges discussed in the first event. The theme was study design considerations for research into multiple long-term conditions and the event was attended by 46 academics, clinicians and members of the public. Dr Barbara Nicholl (Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Primary Care, University of Glasgow) described how to set up a team to develop grant ideas and applications for multiple long-term conditions projects. Dr Lis Boulton (Health and Care Policy Manager, Age UK) discussed putting patient experience into practice for multiple long-term conditions research. Professor Sally Singh (Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, University Hospitals of Leicester and University of Leicester) reflected on receiving funding for a project exploring multiple long-term conditions and rehabilitation. Questions from delegates related to participant recruitment strategies, research group members and funding schemes. Feedback on the two webinars was overwhelmingly positive: 100% reported that the webinars met their expectations and that they found them ‘very’ or ‘extremely useful’.
We set-up a patient and public involvement group of people living with multiple long-term conditions. The group met in May 2023 to consider the James Lind Alliance research priorities on multiple long-term conditions for older adults. They identified additional research priorities including personalised care, integrated service provision and enhancement of wellbeing.
The final workshop, held in Brunel University London in June 2023 and facilitated by Fairisle Consulting, aimed to facilitate the development of interdisciplinary collaborations and grant ideas for research of multiple long-term conditions, was held at Brunel University London in June 2023. Fifteen interdisciplinary academics and clinicians considered the James Lind Alliance and patient and public involvement group research priorities. Three research groups were formed; each group developed a research proposal and identified an appropriate funding scheme. The groups will collaborate with the patient and public involvement group to further develop and finalise their ideas. These projects have the potential to improve the lives of people living with multiple long-term conditions, as they are based on priorities identified by people with lived experience.
In conclusion, we succeeded in achieving the aims of the seminar series. We raised the profile of multiple long-term conditions, set-up a patient and public involvement group that identified research priorities, provided opportunities for early-career inter-disciplinary engagement and facilitated the development of collaborations and grant development in this important area.