Perspectives On Cancer Care

Perspectives on Cancer Care is a unique collection of insights from contributors, based on their specific expertise and experience. It provides a range of perspectives on cancer care to inspire readers and encourage high-quality care through an enhanced understanding of patients' needs and carers' skills. The book presents a series of chapters highlighting different circumstances and approaches to the complex reality of cancer care. In each chapter the author presents their own picture of their experience of the individual's needs and the care required to address these needs, illustrating the particular sensitivity, trust, empathy and support required in the care of patients with cancer and their families. The holistic approach to total care is a prominent feature in cancer care and this is illustrated throughout the various chapters. This collection of perspectives on cancer care: highlights particular issues in the field encourages best practice draws on the expertise of specialist practitioners in the field of cancer care features a holistic approach to cancer care, illustrated through scenarios

"Contemporary medical models focus predominantly on the technical and financial aspects of care. While these are important aspects of care, they fail to include what may be the most critical need of patients and families - that is, the whole-person approach to care where psychosocial and spiritual needs are viewed as essential and just as important as the physical. Cecily Saunders, the founder of hospice, was one of the first to describe the concept of 'total pain', which led to the biopsychosocial and spiritual model of care. In 2014, the World Health Assembly for the WHO passed a resolution which included spiritual care as an essential domain of palliative care, stating that Palliative Care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients "through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual." WHO also noted that "it is the ethical duty of health care professionals" to alleviate pain and suffering, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual and further supported an interdisciplinary model by noting the need for collaboration between professional palliative care providers and support care providers, including spiritual support and counseling"--

"Contemporary medical models focus predominantly on the technical and financial aspects of care. While these are important aspects of care, they fail to include what may be the most critical need of patients and families - that is, the whole-person approach to care where psychosocial and spiritual needs are viewed as essential and just as important as the physical. Cecily Saunders, the founder of hospice, was one of the first to describe the concept of 'total pain', which led to the biopsychosocial and spiritual model of care. In 2014, the World Health Assembly for the WHO passed a resolution which included spiritual care as an essential domain of palliative care, stating that Palliative Care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients "through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual." WHO also noted that "it is the ethical duty of health care professionals" to alleviate pain and suffering, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual and further supported an interdisciplinary model by noting the need for collaboration between professional palliative care providers and support care providers, including spiritual support and counseling"--

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer--including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life--cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.

"Contemporary medical models focus predominantly on the technical and financial aspects of care. While these are important aspects of care, they fail to include what may be the most critical need of patients and families - that is, the whole-person approach to care where psychosocial and spiritual needs are viewed as essential and just as important as the physical. Cecily Saunders, the founder of hospice, was one of the first to describe the concept of 'total pain', which led to the biopsychosocial and spiritual model of care. In 2014, the World Health Assembly for the WHO passed a resolution which included spiritual care as an essential domain of palliative care, stating that Palliative Care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients "through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual." WHO also noted that "it is the ethical duty of health care professionals" to alleviate pain and suffering, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual and further supported an interdisciplinary model by noting the need for collaboration between professional palliative care providers and support care providers, including spiritual support and counseling"--

We all want to believe that when people get cancer, they will receive medical care of the highest quality. Even as new scientific breakthroughs are announced, though, many cancer patients may be getting the wrong care, too little care, or too much care, in the form of unnecessary procedures. How close is American medicine to the ideal of quality cancer care for every person with cancer? Ensuring Quality Cancer Care provides a comprehensive picture of how cancer care is delivered in our nation, from early detection to end-of-life issues. The National Cancer Policy Board defines quality care and recommends how to monitor, measure, and extend quality care to all people with cancer. Approaches to accountability in health care are reviewed. What keeps people from getting care? The book explains how lack of medical coverage, social and economic status, patient beliefs, physician decision-making, and other factors can stand between the patient and the best possible care. The board explores how cancer care is shaped by the current focus on evidence-based medicine, the widespread adoption of managed care, where services are provided, and who provides care. Specific shortfalls in the care of breast and prostate cancer are identified. A status report on health services research is included. Ensuring Quality Cancer Care offers wide-ranging data and information in clear context. As the baby boomers approach the years when most cancer occurs, this timely volume will be of special interest to health policy makers, public and private healthcare purchasers, medical professionals, patient advocates, researchers, and people with cancer.

This is the first Nursing book on cancer care designed around a conceptual model of whole person care. Key concepts are stress, healing, resilience and health. As a clinical model, nursing goals, desired outcomes, key concepts and proposed psychosocial interventions with patients and family caregivers, advance the practice of clinical nursing toward a more comprehensive understanding of the whole person with cancer and their loved ones. As a model for teaching nursing students about chronic illness, it provides a scientific basis for students to learn how to assess and care for the whole person and his loved one. As a model for clinical research in the field of cancer care, it serves as a predicate for the development, evaluation and interpretation of clinical interventions. The model is a dynamic framework that both informs and is informed by research findings. It is hoped that future research findings will reveal the optimal combination of interventions to provide comprehensive care across clinical contexts. With a patient-centred humanistic focus anchored by the quality of the nurse patient and family caregiver relationships, it is hoped that the nurse's technical, procedural and medical expertise may complement rather than define the nurse's approach to the whole patient and family. The book is structured to facilitate the reader's easy access to needed information. Each chapter examines a key concept of the model, and is organized around an introduction, learning objectives, definitions, and relevant research findings that serve as the scientific predicate for suggested interventions discussed in Part 4, Nursing approaches. Clinical and personal anecdotes, tables and figures illustrate the concepts under discussion. Nurse practitioners, clinic nurse specialists, nursing professors, graduate students, and nurse researchers may find this book a useful reference for conceptualizing whole person care, and for determining relevant interventions that promote healing, resilience and health. But it is also relevant for family doctors and fourth year students learning to care for the whole person with a chronic illness.

Quality Of Life: From Nursing And Patient Perspectives, Third Edition Is A Comprehensive Text That Offers A Unique Perspective On Quality Of Life By Reflecting The Voices Of Patients And Families Receiving Or Having Received Care For Cancer. It Is An Ideal Reference For Oncology Nursing Students And Oncology Nurses In A Variety Of Settings, Including Inpatient Units, Outpatient Clinics, Ambulatory Care Centers, Cancer Centers, Research Centers, Home Care Agencies, And Hospices. Topics Explore Evolution Of Quality Of Life In Oncology, Theories And Conceptual Models, Life Methodological And Measurement Issues, Clinical Implications, Cancer Survivorship, And Quality Of Life Stories By Patients And Families. Completely Updated And Revised, This New Edition Contains Two New Research Chapters And New Material On Chronic Illness, Measuring Quality Of Life In Different Age Groups, And Patient Perspectives.