Multiple Chronic Conditions for Older Adults

Heart-Related Multiple Chronic Conditions in Primary Care: Behavioral Technology

Multiple chronic conditions are common and expensive among patients aged ≥65 and are associated with lower quality of life, poorer response to treatment, worse medical and psychiatric outcomes, higher mortality, and higher costs of care.

The primary purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to examine the effects of ElderTree --a web-based intervention--on health outcomes and healthcare use among older adults with several chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, COPD, BMI over 30, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, arrhythmia/atrial fibrillation, chronic pain, arthritis.

The investigator's hypothesis is that patients assigned to TAU+ElderTree will have better quality of life and fewer primary care visits than those assigned to TAU+Internet.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. are ≥65 years old

2. have been treated in the University of Wisconsin Health clinics for at least the previous 18 months with no plans to leave during the study period

3. have 3 or more of the following chronic conditions: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, arthritis, BMI over 30, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia/atrial fibrillation, pulmonary heart disease or pulmonary vascular disease, chronic pain, COPD

4. report no current psychotic disorder that would prevent participation

5. have no acute medical problem requiring immediate hospitalization

6. be able to read and sign the consent form in English

7. have no known terminal illness

8. be willing to share health-related study data and

   • Systolic and diastolic BP
   • Weight
   • BMI
   • HDL/LDL
   • HbA1C
   • pain score
   • lung function
   • health care utilization: number of ER visits, urgent care visits, primary care visits and specialty care visits

9. allow researchers to share information with their primary care physician