Collerais, Béatrice Michalak
Care of patients in nursing homes: What are the barriers and opportunities for general practitioners? A qualitative study
- 2024.
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In the context of an aging population with greater dependency and health needs and declining medical density, it is becoming more difficult for general practitioners (GPs) to conduct follow-up appointments with patients in nursing homes. This study sought to describe facilitating or limiting factors faced by GPs in Drôme, Isère, and Savoy regarding follow-up with their nursing home patients, as well as to compile suggestions for improvement. A qualitative study, with phenomenological analysis, identified factors linked to patients (complexity, specific needs, altered doctor-patient relationship, ethical considerations), GPs (balancing office consultations with visits and emergency callouts), and nursing homes (cooperation and information sharing in a multi-professional microcosm, their representations by GPs). The COVID-19 pandemic rekindled questions about the meaning of care and revealed the ability for adaptation. This study highlights the challenges facing GPs at nursing homes and offers suggestions for improvement.