RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 General practitioners and their possible role in providing spiritual care: a qualitative study. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 957 OP 959 VO 53 IS 497 A1 Scott A Murray A1 Marilyn Kendall A1 Kirsty Boyd A1 Allison Worth A1 T Fred Benton YR 2003 UL http://bjgp.org/content/53/497/957.abstract AB 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.