title: [Experiences of main caregivers helping patients suffering from lung cancer and position assigned to general practitioners].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer turns into a chronic disease. Its impact on patient's daily life may require the assistance of caregiver.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of main caregivers (MCs) helping patients suffering from lung cancer (LC), and to explore the role and the position assigned to general practitioners (GPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study using semi-directive interviews with 13 PCs, recruited in Roanne's hospital and the Cancer Institute Lucien-Neuwirth (Rhône-Alpes), conducted from February to May 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCs' life was affected on a social, family, and professional level. Despite a need of listening and support, they remained behind, by devotion. GPs' were care managers, and were found out empathic, compassionate and reassuring. Present at the cancer announcement and viewed as an actor at the end of life, their functions were variable, following MCs during the treatment phase. During this phase, some of them perceived that lack of time, expertise and/or information seemed to be an obstacle to their solicitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs' regular care could improve MCs' quality of life. Telemedicine could facilitate communication between GPs and hospital staff asked by the MCs.
authors.affiliation: Université Jean Monnet, service universitaire de médecine générale, 15, rue Ambroise-Paré, 42023 Saint-Étienne cedex 2, France. Electronic address: peyraud.sandra@free.fr.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peyraud
authors.affiliation: Institut de cancérologie Lucien-Neuwirth, département d'oncologie médicale, 108, avenue A.-Raimond, 42271 Saint-Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fournel
authors.affiliation: Centre hospitalier de Roanne, service de pneumologie, 28, rue de Charlieu, 42300 Roanne, France.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grangeon-Vincent
authors.affiliation: Université Jean Monnet, service universitaire de médecine générale, 15, rue Ambroise-Paré, 42023 Saint-Étienne cedex 2, France.
authors.forename: Josette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vallée
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005195:Family Relations; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012934:Social Isolation; D017216:Telemedicine
keywords: Aidant principal; Cancer broncho-pulmonaire; General practitioner; Lung cancer; Médecin généraliste; Primary caregiver