This practical guide briefly covers the historical and epidemiological background of palliative care and the growth of palliative medicine as a specialty, before dealing with major physical, psychological, spiritual, and symptom management issues from diagnosis to bereavement care.
The Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care covers all aspects of palliative care in a concise and succinct format suited to busy professionals who need to access key information in their daily care of patients. This new edition is revised throughout, with an additional emphasis on the nursing aspects of Palliative Care. The authors have included new sections on international palliative care, self care and liaison palliative care in acute hospitals. There is also extended material on the use of antibiotics, palliative care research and quality of life issues. The second edition of the Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care continues to be an invaluable resource for all health professionals working with adults, children and families with palliative care needs.
Review: This is more than just a reference book: it is full of information on both the theoretical background of palliative care and the practical aspects of prescribing, symptom control and other aspects of managing this sometimes complex group of patients...It also includes useful chapters on palliation of non-malignant disease, an area that is often overlooked. BMA Medical Book Competition 2010 ...a remarkable book that will be useful for hospice and pallative care professionals as well as other readers. Doody's Notes I would highly recommend it to everyone who is involved in end-of-life care.The book helped me to find the answers for questions and dilemas re palliative care.I read the whole book at once - I could not stop till the last page. Amazon.co.uk Review With a broadened remit to be accessible to non-medical readers this book is a resource for allied healthcare professionals as well as those from non-palliative care backgrounds. It provides a thorough grounding in the principles of holistic palliative care and a comprehensive summary of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to symptom management. The Oxford Handbook of Palliative Care 2nd edition provides an easy, accessible and applicable reference guide for healthcare professionals. It provides a thorough grounding in the principles of holistic palliative care. European Journal of Palliative Care Medicine