Eight years have passed since the first edition of Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine was published. In that time, psychiatric (or psychosocial) palliative care has evolved; the net effect on palliative medicine has been transformative. Palliation that neglects psychosocial dimensions of patient and family experience, de facto, fails to meet contemporary standards of comprehensive palliative care. While a focus on somatic issues has sometimes overshadowed attention to psychological, existential, and spiritual end-of-life challenges, the past decade has seen an all encompassing, multi-disciplinary approach to care for the dying beginning to take hold.
The first comprehensive handbook of psychiatric palliative care, this new edition has been fully updated, reorganized and expanded to include eleven new chapters. Written by 67 internationally known psychiatry and palliative care experts, the book is truly an essential reference for all providers of palliative care including psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, oncologists, hospice workers and social workers. Each chapter has been updated to address new therapeutic modalities and approaches as well as new research trends and opportunities for each topic.
Industry Reviews
"Palliative care patients develop a number of devastating physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems, and their caregivers suffer severe distress. This book contains the vast majority of what we need to know to be able to help our patients and families. The information is not only up-to-date, but is also provided in an elegant and enjoyable way. Drs. Chochinov and Breitbart have done an outstanding job in updating their highly successful first edition. The
second edition of this book is mandatory reading for all of us who deliver care on a daily basis."
- Eduardo Bruera, Chair, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
"Psychosocial, existential, and spiritual issues are core factors determining our need to be 'more than symptomatologists' in offering palliative medicine. This comprehensive, well-referenced second edition provides nuanced insights into these challenging opportunities, as we strive to support the transformation of suffering into optimal experience for patients, family members, and caregivers."
- Balfour M. Mount, Emeritus Professor of Palliative Medicine, McGill University
"Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine will take most readers to new depths and heights in their knowledge and understanding of the neuropsychiatric complications of end-stage disease. Chapters on the demented, the elderly, those with serious chronic mental illness, substance abusers, and the special needs of children (and much more besides) make the Handbook essential reading for those specializing in palliative medicine, and for other
healthcare professionals involved in the care of those with advanced progressive disease. Highly recommended."
- Robert Twycross, Emeritus Clinical Reader in Palliative Medicine, Oxford University
"We wish to envelop our patients in a warm mantle of care. Information on the psychosocial, spiritual and ethical aspects of that care, however, is oft time scattered and disjointed. The second edition of Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine once again delivers, providing us with a rich source of wisdom on psycho-oncology. The editors have brought together a cast of graceful writers who cover the field in a cohesive, elegant fashion. This
book's a winner....You'll enjoy it."
- Neil MacDonald, Founding Director, McGill Cancer Nutrition-Rehabilitation Program, McGill University
"The publication of the first edition of Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine had a major impact because it clearly fulfilled a clinical need. Specialist psychiatrists who are knowledgeable about palliative care are thin on the ground, and though an ideal arrangement would allow face-to-face consultation with a psychiatrist, the availability of such practitioners is limited. This book goes a long way in filling that gap and provides a
comprehensive view of the area. The new edition will solidify the place of this book as an essential resource for physicians in palliative medicine and also members of the multidisciplinary team."
- G.W. Hanks, Emeritus Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Bristol
"This is a well-organized, thoughtfully written book. The authors include many experts who work at the interface of psychiatry and palliative care. The book is clearly written and summarizes the current state of research in this ever expanding field of study. I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about psychiatry in end-of-life care or who is contemplating a career in this area."
-Jeffrey Rado, MD, Rush University Medical Center, as reviewed in Doody's
