Background Delivering high quality care for people with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC), defined as the co-existence of two or more chronic health conditions, is a global priority. However, evidence on the quality of hospital care for people living with MLTC that considers their perspectives has not been synthesised. The aim of this scoping review was to identify quantitative and qualitative studies that have examined how people living with MLTC perceive the quality of care experienced in hospitals, and to identify key concepts and gaps in the evidence base.

Methods A systematic search strategy was developed following established methodological guidelines. Searches of scientific databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, and Social Sciences Premium) were supplemented by citation tracking. Peer-reviewed articles featuring people with MLTC’s perceptions of the quality of ‘usual’ care in hospitals were eligible for inclusion. All records were screened independently by two reviewers.

Results Of 2832 titles and abstracts screened, 54 underwent full text review, resulting in identification of 15 papers eligible for inclusion. These 15 papers, published between 2004 and 2023, consisted of 7 qualitative, 7 quantitative, and 1 mixed-methods study. Over half of these studies focused on older adults (n=8) and over 50% were based in North America. Reflecting the complexity and breadth of MLTC research, there was considerable heterogeneity between studies. However, a variety of aspects of care quality were investigated in more than one study, including care transitions (n=4), interpersonal communication (n=2), and integrated medical and psychiatric care (n=2). Four studies considered overall satisfaction with care and these typically found more evidence of positive experiences than studies focusing on specific aspects of care quality. Common concerns included unmet desire for holistic interdisciplinary care (n=4), inpatients’ acute conditions were prioritised over long-term conditions (n=2), there were various barriers to patient engagement (n=3), and discharge planning was not comprehensive (n=3).

Conclusion A total of 15 studies were identified that investigate how people with MLTC perceive the quality of care that they experience in hospitals. The studies that exist are diverse but point to ways in which people with MLTC feel their hospital care could be improved through person-centred care. The review highlights a need for more studies in different countries which include people of a wider range of ages. Mixed methods studies, and studies that focus on elements of care quality that have not yet been focused on, such as safety, may also be informative.