title: The role of general practitioners in continuity of care at the end of life: a qualitative study of terminally ill patients and their next of kin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exploring terminal patients' perceptions of GPs' role in delivering continuous end-of-life care and identifying barriers to this.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interview study with patients (two consecutive interviews).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary care Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen terminally ill cancer patients, informed about diagnosis and prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Terminal patients attribute a pivotal role to GPs in different aspects of two types of continuity. Relational continuity: having an ongoing relationship with the same GP, of which important aspects are eg, keeping in touch after referral and feeling responsible for the patient. Informational continuity: use of information on past events and personal circumstances to provide individualised care, of which important aspects are eg, exchange of information between GPs, specialists and care facilities. Patients also identify barriers to continuity eg, lack of time and of GPs' initiative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At the end of life when physicians can no longer rely on biomedical models of diagnosis-therapy-cure, patients' perspectives are of utmost importance. This qualitative study made it possible to gain insights into terminal patients' perceptions of continuous primary end-of-life care. It clarifies the concept and identifies barriers to it.
authors: Care Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Michiels
authors: Reginald
authors: R
authors: Deschepper
authors: Greta
authors: G
authors: Van Der Kelen
authors: Jan L
authors: JL
authors: Bernheim
authors: Freddy
authors: F
authors: Mortier
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Vander Stichele
authors: Luc
authors: L
authors: Deliens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001530:Belgium; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D005192:Family Health; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D019452:Terminally Ill