Improving Communication About Patient Priorities in Multimorbidity

The goal of this study is to develop and test Customized Care, an intervention to help patients dealing with depression and/or anxiety in the context of multiple chronic conditions. Customized Care is designed to help patients communicate about important issues, such as financial and safety concerns, with their primary care providers (PCPs). The intervention will be delivered in patient waiting rooms prior to a routine follow-up visit with the PCP. Phase 1 of the project will ensure that the main components of Customized Care are acceptable to patients and PCPs. Phase 2 will include a pilot study to test the effects of Customized Care on patient-PCP communication. Participants aged 40 years or older who have a diagnosis of two or more common chronic medical conditions will be recruited from primary care clinics. Patients screening positive for either depression or anxiety will be randomized to Customized Care vs. an active control. The investigators hypothesize that the Customized Care will improve patient-Primary Care-Provider communication.