Outpatient medicine and the end of life at home: Impact of GP behaviours on the caregiver's mourning process

In France, end-of-life care is a topic of current debate. However, regardless of the positions adopted, the French agree that the support offered must take into consideration not only the person at the end of life, but also their loved ones (Ministry of Solidarity and Health, 2021; Economic, Social and Environmental Council [CESE], 2023). In addition, support must begin before and continue after death (Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé, 2021). Thus, it seems appropriate to reflect on the support to be provided to caregivers, including support for the grieving process, while taking into consideration the wish of the majority of French people to end their lives at home (IFOP, cited in ADREA fondation d'entreprise, 2016).

General practitioners are among the local professionals involved in the living environment. In the near future, their mission with people in palliative care should be promoted through remuneration for coordination and care time (Cour des Comptes, 2023). This would increase the amount of time spent with patients and their caregivers. At the same time, nurses could be assigned the task of drawing up death certificates, which is currently their responsibility. An experiment should be carried out in certain regions ([Congrès Société Française d'Accompagnement et de Soins Palliatifs], 2023) However, before considering these changes, it would be pertinent to hear caregivers' views on current medical practices.

The primary aim of this research is to explore the experiences of carers of people who have died at home of GP care. The secondary objective is to identify GP behaviours that are beneficial to the bereavement process.
This research is exploratory
This research is exploratory. The method used is qualitative. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with bereaved caregivers and general practitioners, then analyzed using grounded theory.
The results will provide insight into the practice of bereavement counselling
The results will provide insight into doctors' homecare practices. This research could contribute to improving practices in the field of palliative care and end-of-life support at home.

Under the direction of Axelle Van Lander and Michael Dambrun.

Link to theses.fr: https://www.theses.fr/s363099

• ADREA corporate foundation. (2016). Les attentes et les besoins des Français vis-à-vis de la fin de vie. https://www.sfap.org/system/files/etude2016_findevie_fondationadrea.pdf

[Congrès Société Française d'Accompagnement et de Soins Palliatifs], (2023).

• Conseil économique, social et environnemental. (2023). Rapport de la convention citoyenne sur la fin de vie. https://www.lecese.fr/sites/default/files/documents/CCFV/Conventioncito…
• Cour des Comptes. (2023, July). LES SOINS PALLIATIFS, Une offre de soins à renforcer. Communication à la commission des affaires sociales de l'Assemblée nationale. https://www.ccomptes.fr/fr/publications/les-soins-palliatifs
• Ministère des solidarités et de la santé. (2021). Développement des soins palliatifs et accompagnement de la fin de vie - Plan national 2021-2024. https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/plan-fin-de-vie-2022.pdf