This is an updated guide to the range of drugs commonly unused in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. There have been many significant changes in drug treatment over the last few years, and "Basic Notes in Psychopharmacology" provides an overview of both new and old drugs, their mode of action, indications and adverse effects. The four sections of the book deal with hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant drugs and mood stabilizers. The book should be a useful guide for all those involved in the use of drugs in psychiatry. In particular, junior doctors, general practitioners and medical students should find it valuable as an introduction to this complex and rapidly changing area as well as a useful revision aid for examinations. However, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric social workers and psychiatric occupational therapists and clinical psychologists should also find the book an asset.

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.

Dr. Quill put his career in jeopardy when he published an article in the New England Medical Journal admitting to assisting a terminally ill patient in suicide by prescribing pills for her and letting her know--at her request--how to take a lethal dose. Now he reveals the options that people have when facing life-threatening illnesses. Includes stories of his patients and many others.