Why the research is needed
Multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) occurs when an individual has two or more chronic health conditions at the same time. These conditions can either be a combination of two physical conditions or a combination of a physical or mental conditions. Although MLTC is becoming common in adults in the UK, people from ethnic minority populations face more difficulty in terms of management of MLTC. Little is known about the programmes that can be implemented to help with MLTC in ethnic minority populations.
What is already known about the subject
Some programmes have been developed in the UK and other parts of the world to promote self-management of MLTC. But there has been no review to gather all the evidence on existing programmes targeted at ethnic minority populations, to learn from them.
What we will do
We will carry out a review of existing evidence to see and understand how MLTC has been addressed.
What the benefits will be
This study would inform future programme of work to support people from ethnic minority populations living with MLTC. The goal is to co-develop culturally appropriate programme (s) with and for ethnic minority populations living with MLTC.
Who we will be working with
We will be working with researchers (who are also from ethnic minority populations) at the University of Leicester, researchers at City, University of London, a community engagement officer at the Centre for Ethnic Health Research and public contributors.
How patients and the public are involved
This project builds on a previous NIHR Short Placement Award for Research Collaboration (SPARC) project where the project lead worked closely with individuals living with MLTC to understand research priorities and how to gather evidence on MLTC interventions. Three Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) sessions were conducted between February and March 2024 as part of the previous project.
For this current study, we will hold PPIE workshops with patients and public to help with how the findings from the review are summarised, interpreted and presented.
When the findings will be available
The findings from this study will be available from September 2025.
Contact
Deborah Ikhile, Research Associate, University of Leicester, Di46@leicester.ac.uk.