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Review
. 2022 Feb 25:12:26335565221081288.
doi: 10.1177/26335565221081288. eCollection 2022.

Definition of patient complexity in adults: A narrative review

Stefanie Nicolaus  1 , Baptiste Crelier  2 , Jacques D Donzé  3   4   5 , Carole E Aubert  2   6   7   8
Affiliations
Review

Definition of patient complexity in adults: A narrative review

Stefanie Nicolaus et al. J Multimorb Comorb. .

Abstract

Background: Better identification of complex patients could help to improve their care. However, the definition of patient complexity itself is far from obvious. We conducted a narrative review to identify, describe, and synthesize the definitions of patient complexity used in the last 25 years.

Methods: We searched PubMed for articles published in English between January 1995 and September 2020, defining patient complexity. We extended the search to the references of the included articles. We assessed the domains presented in the definitions, and classified the definitions as based on (1) medical aspects (e.g., number of conditions) or (2) medical and/or non-medical aspects (e.g., socio-economic status). We assessed whether the definition was based on a tool (e.g., index) or conceptual model.

Results: Among 83 articles, there was marked heterogeneity in the patient complexity definitions. Domains contributing to complexity included health, demographics, behavior, socio-economic factors, healthcare system, medical decision-making, and environment. Patient complexity was defined according to medical aspects in 30 (36.1%) articles, and to medical and/or non-medical aspects in 53 (63.9%) articles. A tool was used in 36 (43.4%) articles, and a conceptual model in seven (8.4%) articles.

Conclusion: A consensus concerning the definition of patient complexity was lacking. Most definitions incorporated non-medical factors in the definition, underlining the importance of accounting not only for medical but also for non-medical aspects, as well as for their interrelationship.

Keywords: complex; complexity; multimorbidity; patient complexity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow-chart of the literature search.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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