'Adrift in a sea of just absolute unknowableness': A multimethod qualitative study exploring patient, carer and healthcare professional experiences of communicating about future uncertainty in multimorbidity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Uncertainty about the future is commonly experienced by older adults with advanced multimorbidity, impacting multiple life domains and frequently causing anxiety. Communicating about future uncertainty affects patient satisfaction, quality of decision-making and opportunities for future planning. Patient, carer and healthcare professional experiences of future uncertainty communication have been little studied to date.

Aim

In the context of older adults with advanced multimorbidity, to explore patient, carer and healthcare professional experiences and preferences for communication of uncertainty about their future.

Design

Multi-method qualitative research utilising in-depth interviews and focus groups with reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting/participant

SUBMITTER: Fennessy R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12779763 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature