General practitioners and their possible role in providing spiritual care: a qualitative study

Scott A Murray, Marilyn Kendall, Kirsty Boyd, Allison Worth, T Fred Benton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

We interviewed the general practitioners (GPs) of 40 patients with life-threatening illnesses over the course of the last year of life. We asked them to identify their patients' holistic needs, and to discuss whether they considered that they had a role in providing 'spiritual care'. The GPs varied greatly in their understanding of their patients' experiences and needs. Most said that they had a role in providing spiritual care, but hesitated to raise spiritual issues with patients, mentioning lack of time, a feeling that they should wait for a cue, or being unprepared or unskilled.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)957-9
Number of pages3
JournalThe British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
Volume53
Issue number497
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2003

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Holistic Health
  • Humans
  • Palliative Care/methods
  • Pastoral Care
  • Physician's Role
  • Physicians, Family/psychology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Scotland

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