• Ashlinder Gill, Kerry Kuluski, Liisa Jaakkimainen, Gayathri Naganathan, Ross Upshur, and Walter P Wodchis.
• Graduate Student, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, Toronto, ON.
• Healthc Policy. 2014 May 1; 9 (4): 73-89.

ObjectivesThis study explored the care challenges experienced by older patients with multimorbidity, their informal caregivers and family physicians.ApproachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 patients, their informal caregivers and family physicians. Qualitative description was used to identify key themes in the interview transcripts.ResultsParticipants experienced many common challenges when managing multimorbidity, including a lack of decision-making support, poor communication and uncoordinated health services. Within these themes, unique perspectives specific to the role of being a patient, caregiver or family physician emerged.ConclusionThe study adds to a limited evidence base on the experience of patients with multimorbidity. By including the perspectives of their family caregivers and physicians, we provide important insight into the management of multimorbidity and recommend the uptake of specific strategies to address them.Copyright © 2014 Longwoods Publishing.

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