The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse
Background. Chronic medical conditions often occur in combination. Understanding underlying mechanisms causing diseases and their interactions may make it possible to address multiple complex conditions with single or consolidated treatment approaches and improve patients’ health outcomes while redu...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2013-01-01
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| Series: | Nursing Research and Practice |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/192782 |
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| _version_ | 1832549108171145216 |
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| author | Salimah H. Meghani Harleah G. Buck Victoria Vaughan Dickson Marilyn J. Hammer Eneida Rejane Rabelo-Silva Robyn Clark Mary D. Naylor |
| author_facet | Salimah H. Meghani Harleah G. Buck Victoria Vaughan Dickson Marilyn J. Hammer Eneida Rejane Rabelo-Silva Robyn Clark Mary D. Naylor |
| author_sort | Salimah H. Meghani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Chronic medical conditions often occur in combination. Understanding underlying mechanisms causing diseases and their interactions may make it possible to address multiple complex conditions with single or consolidated treatment approaches and improve patients’ health outcomes while reducing costs. Objectives. We present a synthesis of the current interprofessional discourse on the issues surrounding comorbidities. Methods. A targeted review of the literature was conducted using published editorials, commentaries, and review articles. Results. Errors in conceptualization and measurement plague our current understanding of comorbidities. Two potential paths to generating knowledge involve the use of etiological or epidemiological approach. An etiological approach investigates the risk factors and underlying mechanisms potentially leading to consolidation of diagnosis and treatments. Because of the rudimentary stage of knowledge development in this area, this approach will require time and significant research investments. In contrast, the epidemiological approach relies on statistical identification of disease entities that cooccur beyond random chance; this approach carries an accompanying risk of diagnostic and treatment proliferation. Discussion. The concept of comorbidity, its nature, and measurement is in need of meaningful debate by the scientific and clinical communities. Recommendations in the domains of conceptualization, research, and measurement are discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-79a965ca2fcf4b4b95de392fda2f3ad7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-1429 2090-1437 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nursing Research and Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-79a965ca2fcf4b4b95de392fda2f3ad72025-02-03T06:12:09ZengWileyNursing Research and Practice2090-14292090-14372013-01-01201310.1155/2013/192782192782The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional DiscourseSalimah H. Meghani0Harleah G. Buck1Victoria Vaughan Dickson2Marilyn J. Hammer3Eneida Rejane Rabelo-Silva4Robyn Clark5Mary D. Naylor6Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, NewCourtland Center for Transitions & Health, University of Pennsylvania, Room 337 Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217, USANewCourtland Center for Transitions & Health, University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USANew York University, New York, NY 10003, USANew York University, New York, NY 10003, USAFederal University of Rio Grande do Sul, School of Nursing, 90040-060 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, SA 5001, AustraliaNewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19109-4217, USABackground. Chronic medical conditions often occur in combination. Understanding underlying mechanisms causing diseases and their interactions may make it possible to address multiple complex conditions with single or consolidated treatment approaches and improve patients’ health outcomes while reducing costs. Objectives. We present a synthesis of the current interprofessional discourse on the issues surrounding comorbidities. Methods. A targeted review of the literature was conducted using published editorials, commentaries, and review articles. Results. Errors in conceptualization and measurement plague our current understanding of comorbidities. Two potential paths to generating knowledge involve the use of etiological or epidemiological approach. An etiological approach investigates the risk factors and underlying mechanisms potentially leading to consolidation of diagnosis and treatments. Because of the rudimentary stage of knowledge development in this area, this approach will require time and significant research investments. In contrast, the epidemiological approach relies on statistical identification of disease entities that cooccur beyond random chance; this approach carries an accompanying risk of diagnostic and treatment proliferation. Discussion. The concept of comorbidity, its nature, and measurement is in need of meaningful debate by the scientific and clinical communities. Recommendations in the domains of conceptualization, research, and measurement are discussed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/192782 |
| spellingShingle | Salimah H. Meghani Harleah G. Buck Victoria Vaughan Dickson Marilyn J. Hammer Eneida Rejane Rabelo-Silva Robyn Clark Mary D. Naylor The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse Nursing Research and Practice |
| title | The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse |
| title_full | The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse |
| title_fullStr | The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse |
| title_short | The Conceptualization and Measurement of Comorbidity: A Review of the Interprofessional Discourse |
| title_sort | conceptualization and measurement of comorbidity a review of the interprofessional discourse |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/192782 |
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