The Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS) flagship report “Does healthcare deliver?” presents the results from the first international survey of primary care users aged 45 years and older, focusing on people living with chronic conditions. By capturing patients’ self-reported health outcomes and care experiences, PaRIS offers an invaluable perspective for assessing healthcare systems across the OECD countries and beyond.
Chapter 3 of the PaRIS flagship report focuses on people living with multiple chronic conditions, people living with two or more chronic conditions. PaRIS results stress that multimorbidity is a significant challenge for both people and the healthcare system. It requires comprehensive, co‑ordinated, and continuous care, ideally provided by primary care to address the physical, mental, and social impacts. PaRIS data show that 80% of primary care users aged 45+ live with at least one chronic condition, and more than half have two or more. People with multiple conditions report poorer health outcomes and take multiple medications. Around 70% of these individuals take at least three medications regularly, with over a third using four or more, increasing the risk of patient safety issues and complex self-management. The type of chronic conditions also matters; mental health conditions alongside other chronic diseases worsen outcomes and experiences. This chapter highlights the vital role of primary care in supporting patients with multiple chronic conditions through interventions such as self-care, care co‑ordination, communication, and medication reviews.
This is the first in a series of webinars showcasing PaRIS results. Stay tuned for upcoming sessions.