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Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases,...
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Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, and the Need for Emotional and Social Support: Second Edition

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Chronic Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2027 | Viewed by 3722

Editors

Dr. Grażyna Bączyk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
Interests: care and functioning of patients with chronic diseases and those requiring surgical treatment; assessment of the quality of nursing care in the field of postoperative pain; the assessment of the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases; surgically treated diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Dorota Formanowicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Poznan, University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
Interests: systems biology and medicine; immunology, inflammation, and oxidative stress; atherosclerosis; macrophages; aneurysms; intima media thickness changes; aging; chronic disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to learn about health, social, and emotional problems, assess quality of life, and evaluate the need for social and emotional support for people with chronic diseases.

The presence of a chronic disease not only disturbs the functional, physical, and social aspects of life but also evokes negative emotions. This situation causes a decrease in well-being and disturbs the quality of life in all areas.

Research on these aspects allows us to obtain valuable information from patients. This concerns not only the symptoms of the disease and side effects of the treatment but also the assessment of the psychological (well-being), social and spiritual dimensions. The results of research into these specific issues occurring in people with chronic diseases will help to direct treatment and patient care through evidence-based medicine EBM (evidence-based medicine) and EBNP (evidence-based nursing practice).

We welcome articles from all healthcare settings. Study groups may include patients and caregivers. Articles may be original studies or reviews.

Dr. Grażyna Bączyk
Prof. Dr. Dorota Formanowicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • chronic disease
  • health related quality of life
  • psychosocial health
  • well-being
  • health problems
  • social problems
  • emotional problems
  • social support
  • emotional support
  • problems in healthcare

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 675 KB  
Article
Mapping Long-Term Care Needs in Person-Centred Interventions for Older People with Multimorbidity: A WHO Framework-Guided Secondary Analysis
by António Lista, Lara Guedes de Pinho, Elisabete Alves and César Fonseca
Healthcare 2026, 14(12), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121623 - 9 Jun 2026
Viewed by 268
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Person-centred psychosocial and rehabilitation interventions are increasingly relevant in long-term care (LTC) for older people with multimorbidity. Existing classifications describe the technical nature of these interventions rather than the LTC needs addressed by their delivered components. This study aimed to map delivered [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Person-centred psychosocial and rehabilitation interventions are increasingly relevant in long-term care (LTC) for older people with multimorbidity. Existing classifications describe the technical nature of these interventions rather than the LTC needs addressed by their delivered components. This study aimed to map delivered or reported components from a published parent review onto the World Health Organization long-term care framework. Methods: We conducted a framework-guided secondary analysis of 18 randomised controlled trials, including 9132 participants, from the parent review. Trials were conducted in LTC or settings relevant to LTC. Components were deductively mapped at study level to five framework domains: health care needs, palliative care needs, social care and support needs, person-centred integrated care, and education and training. Mapping followed predefined operational rules, a codebook, and a decision log. Planned-only components were excluded. Results were synthesised descriptively, without reassessing intervention efficacy. Results: Health care needs were identified in 17 of 18 trials, social care and support needs in 14, person-centred integrated care in all 18, and education and training in 17. Palliative care needs were less frequently represented, appearing in four trials. Psychosocial and Rehabilitation components were interpreted as mainly representing the technical-therapeutic core of interventions, while Complementary components were interpreted as supporting the operational infrastructure of care, including assessment, planning, coordination, monitoring, referral, training, documentation, and continuity. Conclusions: This framework-guided secondary analysis suggests broad but uneven coverage of WHO long-term care domains across the included trials. Future trials should more explicitly align targeted needs, delivered components, and outcome assessment, including social, caregiver, palliative, continuity, and person-centred care experience outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, and the Need for Emotional and Social Support: Second Edition)
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17 pages, 276 KB  
Article
“Transforming Pain”: Evaluation of a Multicomponent Workshop for the Treatment of Chronic Pain—A Quasi-Experimental Design with Control Group
by María Victoria Ruiz-Romero, María Begoña Gómez-Hernández, Ana Porrúa-Del Saz, María Blanca Martínez-Monrobé, Natalia Gutiérrez-Fernández, Almudena Arroyo-Rodríguez, Rosa Anastasia Garrido-Alfaro, Ángela C. López-Tarrida, Néstor Canal-Diez, María Dolores Guerra-Martín and Consuelo Pereira-Delgado
Healthcare 2026, 14(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14010108 - 2 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1132
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Between 20 and 30% of the global population experiences Chronic Pain (CP). A comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach incorporating non-pharmacological interventions and active patient participation is recommended. This study evaluated the short- and medium-term effectiveness of a multicomponent workshop compared with a control group. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Between 20 and 30% of the global population experiences Chronic Pain (CP). A comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach incorporating non-pharmacological interventions and active patient participation is recommended. This study evaluated the short- and medium-term effectiveness of a multicomponent workshop compared with a control group. Methods: A detailed description of the workshop and a single-group before–after evaluation in 197 patients were recently published. The present study used a quasi-experimental before–after design with a three-month follow-up, comparing an intervention group (n = 64) with a contemporaneous control group that continued with usual care (n = 64). Validated scales were used to measure pain, well-being, quality of life (QoL), self-esteem, resilience, anxiety, and depression. Two ad hoc surveys assessed satisfaction and perceived impact on pain, medication use, habits, and mood. Results: A total of 128 patients participated (64 per group). The intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in all indicators at both short-term (end of workshop) and medium-term (three months) follow-up. Pain decreased by −1.3 (−3.0–0) [3 months: −1.0 (−3.0–−1.0)], anxiety by −3.0 (−5.0–−1.0) [3 months: −3.0 (−5.0–1.0)], and depression by −4.0 (−7.0–−2.0) [3 months: −3.0 (−6.0–0)]. Well-being increased by 3.0 (1.0–4.0) [3 months: 1.0 (0–4.0)]; QoL by 0.213 (0.072–0.388) [3 months: 0.185 (0.013–0.337)]; perceived health by 13.5 (0–30.0) [3 months: 10.0 (0–30.0)]; self-esteem by 4.5 (1.0–7.3) [3 months: 3.0 (−1.0–6.0)], and resilience by 1.0 (−1.0–5.0) [3 months: 1.0 (0.0–5.0)]. In the control group, resilience worsened (−1.0 [−5.0–1.0], p = 0.002) and depression increased (1.0 [−1.0–3.0], p = 0.037). Pain decreased in 47 participants (74.6%) at the end of the workshop [3 months: 34 (65.4%)]. Of 55 who used medication, 48 (81.4%) reduced their intake [3 months: 34; 68.0%]. Healthy habits improved in 58 (92.1%) [3 months: 40; 78.4%]. Mood improved: 26 (41.3%) described themselves as “cheerful” and 24 (38.1%) as “neutral” [3 months: 23; 44.2% and 14; 26.9%]. Overall satisfaction: 9.7 (scale 0–10). Conclusions: The workshop enabled patients to mitigate pain, actively participate in self-care, and improve quality of life, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. These effects persisted three months post-intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, and the Need for Emotional and Social Support: Second Edition)
15 pages, 1593 KB  
Article
Assessing Quality of Life in Hepatitis C Patients: Improvements Following Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy—A Single-Center Romanian Study
by Oana Koppandi, Dana Iovanescu, Bogdan Miutescu, Eyad Gadour, Oana Maria Jigau, Andreea Iulia Papoi, Calin Burciu and Eftimie Miutescu
Healthcare 2025, 13(23), 3007; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13233007 - 21 Nov 2025
Viewed by 783
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) affects both physical health and overall well-being. The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has greatly improved treatment outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate changes in quality of life (QoL) before and after DAA therapy. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) affects both physical health and overall well-being. The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has greatly improved treatment outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate changes in quality of life (QoL) before and after DAA therapy. Methods: Ninety-seven patients with chronic HC were assessed using the SF-36v2 Health Survey, which measures eight physical and mental health domains. The questionnaire was administered at baseline (before treatment) and 12 weeks after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR). Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were calculated. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed across multiple domains, including Physical Functioning (mean increase: +3.99, p < 0.001), General Health (+5.51, p < 0.001), and Vitality (+4.44, p < 0.001). Both PCS and MCS scores improved after therapy, indicating enhanced overall well-being. Subgroup analyses suggested greater physical gains among older patients and those with cirrhosis. Conclusions: Successful HCV treatment with DAAs improves not only virological outcomes but also patients’ day-to-day functioning and emotional health. Routine integration of QoL assessments is essential to capture the full spectrum of benefits offered by modern antiviral therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, and the Need for Emotional and Social Support: Second Edition)
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Review

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11 pages, 210 KB  
Review
Cultural Determinants of Chronic Disease Management: A Cross-Comparative Medical Review
by Ismihan Almasa Uddin and Rafay Mujahid Siddiqui
Healthcare 2026, 14(5), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14050640 - 3 Mar 2026
Viewed by 897
Abstract
Chronic diseases—including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders—remain the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. While biomedical pathophysiology defines the etiology and progression of these conditions, cultural factors significantly modulate how patients perceive illness, engage in treatment, and [...] Read more.
Chronic diseases—including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders—remain the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. While biomedical pathophysiology defines the etiology and progression of these conditions, cultural factors significantly modulate how patients perceive illness, engage in treatment, and adhere to medical recommendations. This review synthesizes evidence from cross-cultural studies, with a specific focus on medical manifestations and therapeutic challenges, to examine how sociocultural determinants intersect with biological disease processes. We highlight nuanced case comparisons between South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Latinx, and Indigenous populations, illustrating how cultural constructs such as collectivism, fatalism, stigma, reliance on traditional medicine, and health literacy directly influence outcomes in chronic disease management. Importantly, we integrate evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals, emphasizing culturally tailored interventions, precision medicine approaches, and the role of interdisciplinary care teams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Social Problems and Well-Being of Patients with Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, and the Need for Emotional and Social Support: Second Edition)
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