In the shadow: the impact of chronic illness on the patient's partner.

This study focuses on the partners of patients with chronic illness. Through intensive interviews with the patients' partners and their general practitioners (GPs), the problems the partners experience are explored and analyzed in terms of the support the GP may provide. A description is given of the main problems partners of chronically ill patients have to cope with and the tasks these imply for their everyday life. The attitude and communication skills of the GP are a key factor in whether he or she will play an important supporting role in the case of chronic illness in the family.