title: Development of a tool to investigate caregiving issues from the perspective of family physicians and discussion of preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to develop a survey for family physicians to better understand family physicians' beliefs, level of knowledge and sense of accountability regarding their support of informal (i.e., unpaid) caregivers of older adults.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Seniors with dementia can be supported to 'age in place'. However, this requires assistance from family and friends, who are often seniors themselves and may have health issues of their own. Although family physicians are well positioned to assist older adult caregivers, there is a paucity of data regarding this role.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a literature review, we created a questionnaire to examine these issues. It was reviewed by experts and, after revision, was appraised by health planners/decision makers and pre-tested with family physicians. A final questionnaire was created using this feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The next important step would be to administer the questionnaire to Canadian family physicians using appropriate survey methodology.
authors.affiliation: 1Professor, Department of Health Sciences and Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5E1.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bédard
authors.affiliation: 3Research Coordinator, Research Department, St. Joseph's Care Group, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5G4.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5G4.
authors.forename: Anik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lambert-Belanger
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada P7B 5G4.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riendeau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017028:Caregivers; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003704:Dementia; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires