Multimorbidity research challenges: where to go from here?

The last decade has seen an increase in research focusing on patients with multiple chronic conditions. A recent review reported only two published studies on multimorbidity between 1990 and 2000, increasing to 39 between 2001 and 2010 [1]. This research has been largely driven by two factors: the increasing demographics of the older population worldwide [2], coupled with a growing awareness of the high prevalence of patients with multiple chronic conditions [1,3]. Through this research, there has been an increasing appreciation and understanding of the complexities associated with the management and care of these patients both from a health practitioner and a patient perspective [4,5]. However, there is still much work to be done if we are to improve health outcomes, quality of care, and develop the necessary healthcare systems required to provide integrated and coordinated care for this growing population. In order to move this research agenda forward, it is important to reflect on what we currently know, to facilitate the identification of potential gaps in our knowledge base.