Improving access and continuity of care for homeless people: how could general practitioners effectively contribute? results from a mixed study.

Objectives: To analyze the views of general practitioners (GPs) about how they can provide care to homeless people (HP) and to explore which measures could influence their views. Design: Mixed-methods design (qualitative –> quantitative (cross-sectional observational) ïƒ qualitative). Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews; quantitative data were collected through questionnaires with closed questions. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistical analyses on SPPS; a content analysis was applied on qualitative data. Setting: primary care; views of urban GPs working in deprived area in Marseille were explored by questionnaires and/or semi-structured interview. Participants: 19 GPs involved in HP’s healthcare were recruited for phase 1 (qualitative); for phase 2 (quantitative), 150 GPs who provide routine health care (“standard” GPs) were randomized, 144 met the inclusion criteria and 105 responded the questionnaire; for phase 3 (qualitative...