Multimorbidity and Health Systems: Challenges and Priorities

Abstract

Abstract Older patients, suffering from numerous diseases and taking multiple medications are the rule rather than the exception in primary care. A manifold of medical conditions are often associated with poor outcomes, and their multiple medications raise additional risks of polypharmacy. Such patients account for most healthcare expenditures. Effective approaches are needed to manage such complex patients in primary care. The paper will discuss different models of care as well as major health care challenges in the management of multimorbidity in primary care with focus on interactions (disease-disease, treatment-treatment, and treatment-disease) extrapolated from (disease specific) guidelines and the feasibility to apply these guidelines for and with patients who have multimorbidity.