Given our aging population, there will sadly be an increasing number of terminally-ill patients over the next ten to twenty years. A Patient-Centered Approach to Medicine for the Terminally-Ill explains that a more humane patient-centered approach is necessary to ensure that terminally-ill patients are cared for effectively at the end of life. It is a well-known fact that terminally-ill patients are very difficult to care for by their physicians and other medical specialists, and paternalism is no longer a viable way of caring for the terminally-ill. In this book, Switankowsky argues that there are five conditions for physicians to bring about patient-centered medicine. These are: effective physician-patient disclosure of treatments, successful decision-making, effective communication, development of effective physician-patient relationships, and advance directives. By following these five necessary conditions, physicians could ensure that all terminally-ill patients die with some degree of dignity and are given essential, humane care until the end of their days.

This is a unique resource to improve this difficult and highly sensitive area of communication, ideal for both individual use and by groups or in teaching. It offers a visual, interactive training experience, linking with supportive care frameworks. It is accompanied bya DVD which contains filmed scenes illustrating a range of challenging dialogues between health workers and a patient and his family through the journey of his terminal illness. Accompanying booklet highlights communication issues with suggested exercises, reflection points and advice. It is available as individual-use-only product for self-reflective learning, or institutional-use product for tutored learning, both priced to give excellent value.

...members of the caring professions need all the counselling skills that we can muster. Readers of this book will end up feeling less helpless in the face of death but we should not expect to find communication easy. "What can we say?" Once we think we know what to say we are wrong. Rather this book will help us to learn when to speak of dying and when not to, what not to say and when to keep silent and wait patiently for what gliding instructors call an 'up-draught'. We must start from wherever the other person may be and we must take the time and trouble to discover the language with which this person speaks about death and dying, the assumptions they make and their needs and wishes to speak or not to speak. - From the Foreword by Dr Colin Murray Parkes, Life President of Cruse Bereavement Care Good counselling skills are often not taught to the professionals who need them most. Compassionate and tactful communication skills can make the difference between an awkward encounter with a dying patient, and an engaging, empathic bond between two people. Louis Heyse-Moore draws on his wealth of experience as a trained counsellor and palliative medicine specialist. Covering difficult subjects such as breaking the news of terminal illness to a patient, euthanasia and the effect of working with patients on carers, Speaking of Dying is a practical guide to using counselling skills for all clinical disciplines working in palliative care, whether in a hospice, hospital or at home. Complete with a clear explanation of both counselling and medical terminology, this hands-on guide will be an invaluable companion to anyone working in palliative care.

This text introduces the reader to the key issues surrounding care of the dying patient, as well as highlighting the importance of context in the social management of dying. Written in a pragmatic style, it provides a foundation from which to consider the theoretical and practical concerns that are central to terminal care in institutional as well as community-based settings. Illustrated with case studies that demonstrate how the themes of the book can be applied in practice, this text encourages readers to reflect on research findings so that they are stimulated to formulate their own ideas about caring for dying patients.

Hospice is the primary system to provide care for the terminally ill and their families. Warm, compassionate, and absolutely practical, this definitive resource from the National Hospice Organization will answer all your questions about hospice care and will show you how to make this comprehensive and flexible system work for you and your family.

The Hospice Choice illustrates the gamut of situations dying people and their families may face and suggests ways to manage them. Throughout is information on the broad range of services hospice can provide:

• Physicians and Nursing Services: to help with care specifically designed to keep the patient comfortable and at home
• Counseling Services: to help families and patients sort out their needs and responses
• Respite Services: to allow caregivers needed breaks
• Bereavement Counseling: to provide support for surviving family members and significant others for as much as a full year after loss

The Hospice Choicealso addresses sensitive issues like methods of payment, issues of ethnicity, the special problems raised by sudden death, and the realities of caregiver exhaustion. It will give you the concrete information, support, and encouragement that will help you make wise, compassionate decisions for yourself and for your loved ones.

Just as everyone must die, almost everyone will deal with death among close friends or loved ones. This collection explores the often difficult issues of human relationships with the dying, as well as the many stresses and burdens faced by the survivors.

This beautifully illustrated and sensitive storybook is designed to be used therapeutically by professionals and caregivers supporting children with an untreatable illness. With gentle and colourful illustrations that can help children with fears and feelings, it tells the story of the final journey made by a Boy with a Bear, as the Boy says his goodbyes and comes to terms with his life-ending illness. In this bundle, it is accompanied by the Storybook Manual, a resource that has been designed to support practitioners and caregivers with practical and creative ideas on how to use illustrated storybooks therapeutically with children. Key features include: An inviting and sensitively written fairy tale, with a story and illustrations that have been specifically designed to support children going through difficult life-events A supporting manual that offers a range of prompts, ideas and activities to encourage children's imagination and creativity, develop confidence and emotional literacy as well as deepen engagement and understanding of storybooks. Downloadable worksheets to support the story and explore specific themes further This is an invaluable resource for all professionals looking to use stories and images therapeutically with children suffering from a life-ending illness. The resources can also be adapted for wider use with siblings and other family members.

Publishing on the 50th anniversary of the opening of St Christopher's Hospice - widely thought of to be the first modern hospice, combining pain and symptom management with education and training - this edited collection discusses what motivates professionals and volunteers to provide spiritual care. This book shows how the world of hospice care is moving on from Cicely Saunder's, founder of St Christopher's Hospice, legacy to providing spiritual care in a more integrated manner. With entries from doctors, nurses and CEOs among others, this book informs good practice for professionals and volunteers providing spiritual care for patients and their families. It looks at how, for many of these professionals, spirituality does not have to be grounded in organised religion, but stems from understanding and providing for our human needs.

This book helps nursing and healthcare students to prepare for the challenges of working with the increasing number of patients requiring palliative care, so that they can work in partnership with patients and their carers, providing care that is compassionate, practical and backed up by the latest evidence. Delivering palliative care can be emotionally challenging and the book focuses on supporting healthcare staff, allowing them to provide the care that is needed. Key features include: * case studies in every chapter, helping students to practically work through difficult scenarios * reflective activities that assist readers in thinking critically about their care and how to improve it * a holistic approach to palliative care that includes family, carers and interprofessional work * up to date theory and policy. Palliative Care in Nursing and Healthcare is suitable for undergraduate nursing students and allied health students and practitioners. Michelle Brown is Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby.

This book helps nursing and healthcare students to prepare for the challenges of working with the increasing number of patients requiring palliative care, so that they can work in partnership with patients and their carers, providing care that is compassionate, practical and backed up by the latest evidence. Delivering palliative care can be emotionally challenging and the book focuses on supporting healthcare staff, allowing them to provide the care that is needed. Key features include: * case studies in every chapter, helping students to practically work through difficult scenarios * reflective activities that assist readers in thinking critically about their care and how to improve it * a holistic approach to palliative care that includes family, carers and interprofessional work * up to date theory and policy. Palliative Care in Nursing and Healthcare is suitable for undergraduate nursing students and allied health students and practitioners. Michelle Brown is Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby.

`There is much to learn about easing suffering from John's reflective narrative. The journal is both evocative and illuminating. The attention given to individuals patients experiences and to the manner in which practitioners can help to relieve suffering is the main strength of the book' -Journal of Advanced Nursing `Christopher Johns has written an exquisite book detailing the experience of being a palliative care nurse. He has taken a unique approach in chronicling his practice through a journal, which serves a model for the reader on reflective practice. Johns' book is insightful on several levels. He offers a poignant book about the practice of palliative care, which will certainly evoke deep feelings and memories for many who have cared for dying patients. The narrative serves a model for reflective practice for students and practitioners alike who wish to explore this method of research and self-inquiry. John also, as the postscript writer describe, addresses some of the lessons that can be learned in palliative care work, the importance of living in the moment, and acknowledgement of the constantly changing nature of life.' - Mary L. Wilby, MSN, CRNP, La Salle University School of Nursing `Chris Johns has produced a book that is, I believe, unique in the field of nursing practice. In his personal and philosophical reflections on palliative care he pin-points...the very essence of nursing practice... This text should be at the heart not only of nursing but also the way in which we should live our lives.' - Denise Rankin-Box, Editor in Chief, Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery Written by an experienced palliative care nurse, trainer, and complementary therapist, Being Mindful, Easing Suffering is an essential resource for professionals working with the seriously ill and the dying. Chris Johns describes how he has combined traditional medical, and more reflective models in his palliative practice, enabling him to work mindfully to alleviate physical and non-physical pain and suffering throughout the health-illness cycle. With reference to ideas from Buddhist philosophy around compassion and reflective knowing, this important book shows how the core task of those working in palliative care is to nurture the spiritual growth and development of their patients and, in turn, themselves.

Rachel Clark died after living with cancer for three years and this is her moving account of her treatment and experiences with health professionals in Britain and Australia. She was brave to write her story, and to share it so that others may learn from her experiences. Her account is a valuable legacy, espcially in helping health professionals learn lessons in communication and care. It includes an epilogue by her twin sister Naomi Jefferies, and learning points to provide insights of practical benefit for health professionals by John Hasler and David Pendleton.

Exploring the emotional problems patients, relatives, close friends and professionals experience and the support they need when someone is dying, this book focuses on the skills required to support the patient and to provide pre- and post-bereavement counselling for relatives. It is based on theory and research, illustrated with examples from the author's practical and international experience. It emphasises practical communication skills that can be applied in everyday working practice. It encourages readers to reflect on their own practice, strengths and weaknesses, and their contribution to the multi-professional team. Questions and exercises at the end of each chapter encourage reflection, discussion and learning. This work should be of benefit to health professionals, especially those working in palliative and terminal care, hospices and nursing homes. It is of particular use to members of nursing teams. It should also be of interest to patients and relatives who are close to a dying person.

Education of healthcare professionals is the cornerstone of specialist palliative services. This book is a practical toolbox of teaching techniques. Accessible, practical and easy to use it will encourage busy clinicians to teach by increasing their confidence in their training abilities. It provides a resource of various tools and describes how to approach teaching in a team, planning, methods and evaluation. Each chapter presents a menu of tried and tested techniques and closes with examples of lesson plans. The multidisciplinary experiences of the contributors are reflected in the book and healthcare professionals working in palliative care, hospitals, hospices or the community will find it to be essential reading.

Kidney Disease: From advanced disease to bereavement provides guidance to renal and palliative care professionals dealing with patients with advanced kidney disease, who are approaching end of life. The book describes the tools used to achieve a good death including advance care planning, symptom control law and ethics, recognizing dying, withdrawal of treatment, and a holistic approach to patient care. By using case histories, the book highlights how to facilitate good communication between patients, families and their renal and palliative teams. There are also chapters on support for carers and bereavement. Revised and updated, this new edition is written in a bullet point style to provide an indispensable guide to the day-to-day management of patient care. This pocketbook will be an essential guide for nephrologists, renal nurses, nephrologist trainees, and doctors and nurses working in palliative care.