Coordination of care for patients with long term conditions is becoming increasingly complex. Multimorbidity, the presence of more than one chronic condition, is common in older people and represents one of the major challenges faced by health care practitioners who have to deal with the competing needs and demands of different conditions whilst trying to provide patient centred holistic health care. As a result, clinical care can become fragmented, with patients having multiple appointments, unrealistic treatment schedules and contradictory advice. Chronic musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain, represent some of the most frequently managed long term conditions in primary care, yet the current disease-orientated organisation of health services can result in these highly disabling conditions being neglected.

This presentation will identify the issues faced by clinicians caring for patients with long term conditions in the community, highlighting areas where an integrated approach to managing chronic disease could improve not only patient care but also provide a more cost effective and holistic management strategy.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared