RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Understanding the Context of Health for Persons With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Moving From What Is the Matter to What Matters JF The Annals of Family Medicine JO Ann Fam Med FD American Academy of Family Physicians SP 260 OP 269 DO 10.1370/afm.1643 VO 12 IS 3 A1 Bayliss, Elizabeth A. A1 Bonds, Denise E. A1 Boyd, Cynthia M. A1 Davis, Melinda M. A1 Finke, Bruce A1 Fox, Michael H. A1 Glasgow, Russell E. A1 Goodman, Richard A. A1 Heurtin-Roberts, Suzanne A1 Lachenmayr, Sue A1 Lind, Cristin A1 Madigan, Elizabeth A. A1 Meyers, David S. A1 Mintz, Suzanne A1 Nilsen, Wendy J. A1 Okun, Sally A1 Ruiz, Sarah A1 Salive, Marcel E. A1 Stange, Kurt C. YR 2014 UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/12/3/260.abstract AB PURPOSE An isolated focus on 1 disease at a time is insufficient to generate the scientific evidence needed to improve the health of persons living with more than 1 chronic condition. This article explores how to bring context into research efforts to improve the health of persons living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). METHODS Forty-five experts, including persons with MCC, family and friend caregivers, researchers, policy makers, funders, and clinicians met to critically consider 4 aspects of incorporating context into research on MCC: key contextual factors, needed research, essential research methods for understanding important contextual factors, and necessary partnerships for catalyzing collaborative action in conducting and applying research. RESULTS Key contextual factors involve complementary perspectives across multiple levels: public policy, community, health care systems, family, and person, as well as the cellular and molecular levels where most research currently is focused. Needed research involves moving from a disease focus toward a person-driven, goal-directed research agenda. Relevant research methods are participatory, flexible, multilevel, quantitative and qualitative, conducive to longitudinal dynamic measurement from diverse data sources, sufficiently detailed to consider what works for whom in which situation, and generative of ongoing communities of learning, living and practice. Important partnerships for collaborative action include cooperation among members of the research enterprise, health care providers, community-based support, persons with MCC and their family and friend caregivers, policy makers, and payers, including government, public health, philanthropic organizations, and the business community. CONCLUSION Consistent attention to contextual factors is needed to enhance health research for persons with MCC. Rigorous, integrated, participatory, multimethod approaches to generate new knowledge and diverse partnerships can be used to increase the relevance of research to make health care more sustainable, safe, equitable and effective, to reduce suffering, and to improve quality of life.