Given the issue’s frequency and complexity, more needs to be done to help general practitioners in decision making and communication surrounding this sensitive topic.

There may be multiple reasons why older people are not able to effectively access or engage with health technologies despite their availability.

Multiple factors related to the immediate, local and broader contexts of care, together with overarching factors, influence its provision.

General practitioners viewed the doctor–patient relationship as foundational to whole-person care, facilitating knowledge of the patient, trust and management.

The aim of this qualitative study was to determine how general practitioners understand whole-person care and its facilitators and barriers.

General practitioners believe that principles underlying Medical Homes may support whole-person care, but aspects of the current Health Care Homes trial could impede this whole-person approach.