Communication In Palliative Care: Clear Practical Advice, Based On a Series of Real Case Studies

Dedication.
Foreword to the first edition.
Foreword to the second edition.
About the author.
Acknowledgements.

1. Introduction: a note from the author. 2. Relationships. 3. Being a professional. 4. Assessment skills. 5. Diagnosis. 6. Treatment. 7. The impact of serious illness. 8. Confirmation of a poor prognosis. 9. Key ethical issues in communication. 10. The specifics of advance care planning. 11. Breaking bad news within palliative care. 12. The dying phase. 13. Assisted Dying. 14. It can happen to you. 15. Frequently asked questions. 16. Looking after you. 17. Conclusion.
Index.

This practical, thought-provoking guide provides the unemotional, clear, and accurate advice necessary for communicating with patients in a palliative care setting – a pivotal aspect of being a palliative care expert that is so difficult to quantify and teach. It uses genuine anecdotes and case studies to bring theory to life and assist in everyday application.

The revised edition includes sections on the conversation about assisted dying and how it feels to be on the other side of clinical communication as a patient or carer.

Communication in Palliative Care is a wide-ranging, invaluable resource to palliative care professionals across all clinical settings.

• Offers the lessons learned over a lifetime of care in practice from diagnosis into bereavement
• Addresses the topics of daily concern to palliative care professionals and carers working in oncology or with non-malignant disease and with the elderly across all clinical settings
• Presents a succinct summary of points and lessons from each case study

Janet Dunphy qualified as a nurse in 1980. She has spent over 30 years working, studying, and teaching as a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care. Her clinical experience spans both the NHS and voluntary sector and includes hospital and community roles.