Palliative Psychology

Palliative Psychology provides clinical, evidence-based training in palliative and end of life care for clinical psychologists to accomplish specific therapeutic goals. Chapters provide a clear road map for approaching assessment and treatment by reviewing the use of psychotropic medications for patients with advanced and terminal illness, basic but important aspects of pain medication, in depth psychological and psychiatric assessment for patients with advanced illness and their caregivers, and assessment tools, highlighting the specific clinical contexts for their use. The volume also includes evidence-based psychotherapy models that have been shown effective in treating various manifestations of psychological distress in patients and caregivers. In addition to clinical topics, Palliative Psychology addresses crucial and often sensitive professional issues, including communication and collaboration with medical providers and issues of stress and burnout. Psychologists will learn how to best communicate the results of their assessments and treatment plan goals to other care providers in order to foster collaboration and better position themselves as advocates for their patients. Insight-oriented and practical suggestions will help clinicians manage the emotional intensity of this work and channel the therapeutic potential of their emotional reactions into their work with patients and caregivers.

Palliative Psychology provides clinical, evidence-based training in palliative and end of life care for clinical psychologists to accomplish specific therapeutic goals. Chapters provide a clear road map for approaching assessment and treatment by reviewing the use of psychotropic medications for patients with advanced and terminal illness, basic but important aspects of pain medication, in depth psychological and psychiatric assessment for patients with advanced illness and their caregivers, and assessment tools, highlighting the specific clinical contexts for their use. The volume also includes evidence-based psychotherapy models that have been shown effective in treating various manifestations of psychological distress in patients and caregivers. In addition to clinical topics, Palliative Psychology addresses crucial and often sensitive professional issues, including communication and collaboration with medical providers and issues of stress and burnout. Psychologists will learn how to best communicate the results of their assessments and treatment plan goals to other care providers in order to foster collaboration and better position themselves as advocates for their patients. Insight-oriented and practical suggestions will help clinicians manage the emotional intensity of this work and channel the therapeutic potential of their emotional reactions into their work with patients and caregivers.

Palliative Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on an Emerging Specialty is the first book that proposes palliative psychology as a new specialty defining the roles and competencies of psychologists working in the palliative care setting in the US context. As proposed and defined in this book, palliative psychology is a specialty for licensed psychologists interested in providing psychological assessment and interventions to patients with serious and advanced illness and their family caregivers. The psychologist's involvement can begin after a diagnosis of serious illness and continue during treatment, transition of care, during the dying process, and in bereavement. This book follows the framework developed by the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, which identifies eight domains of specialist palliative care. The chapters of the book explore each of the domains, describing some of the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes that palliative psychologists should develop to become competent palliative care professionals. Tables and clinical case vignettes are used throughout the book to illustrate important clinical aspects related to the work of palliative psychologists.

"Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Care is for anyone working the field of palliative care, both in the community and in hospitals; this includes those in medicine, nursing, social work, chaplaincy, counseling, primary care, and mental health."--Jacket.

The challenges faced by individuals and families at the end of life are still incredibly diverse, and many behavioural interventions and clinical approaches have been developed to address this great diversity of experiences in the face of dying and death, helping providers to care for their clients. Perspectives on Behavioural Interventions in Palliative and End-of-Life Care is an accessible resource that collates and explores interventions that can be used to address a wide range of behavioural, psychological, social and spiritual issues that arise when people are facing advanced chronic or life-limiting illness. With perspectives from experienced clinicians, providers, and caregivers from around the world, this book offers a strong foundation in contemporary evidence-based practice alongside seasoned practice insights from the field. Its chapters explore: Interventions to enhance communication and decision making The management of physical and mental health symptoms Meaning-Centred Psychotherapy for cancer patients Dignity Therapy Interventions embracing cultural diversity and intersectionality. Together with Perspectives on Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Disease, Social and Cultural Context, the book provides a foundation for collaborative international and interprofessional work by providing state-of science information on behavioural interventions addressing mental health and wellness. It is of interest to academics, researchers and postgraduates in the fields of mental health, medicine, psychology and social work, and is essential reading for healthcare providers and trainees from psychosocial and palliative medicine, social work and nursing.

Caring for terminally ill patients and their families is challenging. Patients with life limiting illness require the skills of many professionals but also the support of their community. While most clinicians are comfortable in assessing a broad range of physical problems, it is often the psychosocial issues that prove the most complex. These issues range from psychosocial assessment to the treatment and care of patients with life limiting illnesses. Evaluating emotional, social and spiritual needs, in particular, requires excellent teamwork. This fully-updated and expanded new edition takes a comprehensive look at current practice and provision of psychosocial support as applied to a range of palliative care patients. A number of important areas are covered including community approaches of psychosocial care, neonatal palliative care, the provision of psychosocial care to families, the role of volunteers in supporting palliative care professionals, and the needs of the frail elderly, marginalised patients, and those with dementia. Including multiple case study examples, this highly practical text examines current literature and evidence to demonstrate the best research-based practice in psychosocial care. It is an essential resource for professionals working within hospitals and communities in the fields of medicine, nursing, social work, chaplaincy, counselling, primary care, and mental health.

Symptom control, management of psychosocial and spiritual concerns, decision-making consistent with values and goals, and care of the imminently dying that is appropriate and sensitive are among the critical issues in palliative care. This book explores progress made and future goals.