Handbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care

The Handbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care is a comprehensive text; it provides clinicians with practical and evidence-based guidelines to achieve effective, patient-centered communication in the areas of cancer and palliative care. Written by an outstanding panel of international experts, it integrates empirical findings with clinical wisdom, draws on historical approaches, and presents a state-of-the-art curriculum for applied communication skills training for the specialist oncologist, surgeon, nurse and other multidisciplinary team members involved in cancer care.

In this book communication is broken down into key modules that cover the life-cycle of cancer care. They include coverage of diagnosis and treatment including clinical trials, empathic support in response to distress, transition to survivorship or palliative therapies, discussion of prognosis, conduct of family meetings, and care of the dying. Complementary training of patients in their communication with the doctor completes the interactive dyad. The art of teaching, the impact of gender and power in the consultation and the ethical context are careful considered.

Special communication challenges include discussion of genetic risk, rehabilitative and salvage surgery, promotion of treatment adherence, unanticipated adverse outcomes, intercultural issues, fertility, and sexuality. The value of decision aides, question prompt lists, audio-recording of consultations, and use of the internet is also illustrated.

By looking across the full spectrum of roles involved in the multidisciplinary team, discipline-specific issues are considered by experts in each field. The needs of patients and their relatives are evaluated, including paediatric and geriatric populations. To achieve all of this, theoretical models are examined from medical school to highly specialized practice, facilitation training and actor training are made explicit, and international approaches to communication skills training are compared and contrasted. Finally, research tools that assist in cancer consultations, in evaluating training courses, and in employing mixed methods in studies are highlighted. Overall, this book helps the reader in the management of patients with cancer and those needing palliative care.