Clinical Assessment of Human Suffering. Planning Care in the End of Life

1. Introduction.- 2. The multidimensional human being.- 3. Oncologic disease X nonmalignant disease - differences and similarities in the manifestation of suffering.- 4. Human Suffering Assesment - adult and elderly.- 5. How good conversation can be.- 6. Dimensions of care.- 6.1. Physical dimension.- 6.2. Emotional dimension.- 6.3. Family dimension.- 6.4. Social  dimension.- 6.5. Spiritual dimension.- 7. Practical considerations in care at end of life.- 8. Grief and Mourning - Practical considerations for health professionals.- 8.1. Antecipatory grief.- 9. Achievements, pendencies, regrets.- 10. Grief Family care recommendations.- 11. The health care professional concerning the death of his patient - considerations on the interprofessional work.- 12. Caring for the caregivers.

This book is addressed to physicians and other health professionals involved in the assessment and care planning of patients at the end of life. It brings a unique and humanistic view on the challenges of good practice in palliative care. Concepts and definitions, resources and therapeutic alternatives, as well as symptoms of distress in the physical, emotional, family, social and spiritual dimensions are discussed in a clear and practical way, demystifying and dissolving the barriers of this approach.

Ana Claudia de Lima Quintana Arantes, Graduated in Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo (1993). Medical Residency in Geriatrics and Gerontology at HCFMUSP (1994-1997) with specialist title SBGG (1997). Postgraduate in Psychology - Interventions in Mourning by Instituto 4 Estacoes de Psicologia. Postgraduate degree in Palliative Care from the Pallium Institute, University of El Salvador (Argentina) and University of Oxford. Founding partner of the Association Casa do Cuidar, Pratica e Ensino em Pallencial Care (2007) Has been working in Palliative Care since 1998.