Patient experiences with the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC) tool in primary care: a qualitative study

AIM: This study aims to assess the perspectives of patients with chronic conditions on the use of the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC) tool during consultations with their healthcare providers in primary care. BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, including multimorbidity, poses major challenges to healthcare systems today, particularly in primary care where most chronic care takes place. Effective management strategies are crucial for improving quality of life (QoL). The ABCC tool offers a unique approach to chronic disease management by facilitating shared decision-making and self-management. METHODS: This qualitative phenomenological study involved semi-structured interviews. Fourteen patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or chronic heart failure (CHF) were recruited from a previously conducted quasi-experimental study on the effectiveness of the ABCC tool. FINDINGS: Participants generally expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive questionnaire, user-friendly design and clear visualisation. They appreciated the opportunity to facilitate discussions with healthcare providers and help with monitoring. However, some confusion around the grey balloons in the tool highlighted the need for clearer explanations. Participants had limited awareness of advanced treatment recommendation functions. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insights into patients' experiences with the ABCC tool. Despite challenges such as recall bias and limited awareness of certain features, participants generally expressed satisfaction with using the tool. Based on these findings, the tool can be further improved and its use should be further supported. However, the ABCC tool shows promise as a valuable instrument for improving consultations in clinical practice.