Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine

A fourth edition of the hugely successful Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine, which has gained a reputation as the definitive guide to the field
Six international editors guarantee a truly global perspective
200 contributors and over 100 chapters deal with all aspects of this rapidly developing specialty
Updated text design aids navigation

New to this edition

Four new editors, Russ Portenoy, Nicholas Christakis, Stein Kaasa and Marie Fallon, join the established team of Geoff Hanks and Nathan Cherny to bring this hugely successful text up to date
Completely new section on the international status of palliative medicine, including new chapters on: international progress in creating palliative medicine as a specialised discipline; special problems in the United States (where palliative medicine has recently become an accredited specialty); providing palliative care in the developing world; and the IAHPC list of essential medicines for palliative care These changes reflect the worldwide development of palliative medicine and particularly the recent developments in the United States which are establishing palliative medicine as an accredited specialty.
New chapters in the Challenge of Palliative Medicine section include: barriers to the delivery of palliative care; defining a good death; and the economic challenges of palliative medicine
Increased focus on the multidisciplinary team including new chapters on the core team and the extended team
Research section includes new material on clinical trials, and measurement of pain and other symptoms in the cognitively impaired
New chapters on withdrawing life support, clinical management of bleeding complications, end stage heart disease, end stage renal failure, palliative medicine and dementia, informatics, and sedation

Following publication of the first edition in 1993, the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine rapidly established itself as the definitive textbook on the subject. Each edition has received widespread critical acclaim, and the book is used across the world by the wide range of health care professionals involved in the care of patients with a terminal illness, or chronic, progressive conditions. Existing readers who automatically turn to the textbook will welcome this updated edition of their familiar reference, whilst it will prove a fascinating read to a new generation of palliative care professionals.

The rapid development of the specialty means the textbook is always thoroughly revised between editions, and the fourth edition is no exception. The original editors Geoffrey Hanks and Nathan Cherny are joined by 4 new editors who are leaders in the field, and represent a more global editorial approach than ever before. The multi-disciplinary nature of palliative care is emphasised throughout, whilst an entire section looks at the individual professional roles that contribute to the best-quality palliative care. Ethical issues are explored, including topical chapters on the controversial issues of withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining therapy, and euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Communication issues and the psychiatric, spiritual, and psychosocial issues so integral to modern palliative care are covered in depth. As palliative care has become an established and accepted specialty, there is the need for the evidence-base to match other areas of clinical medicine, and a section looks specifically at research in palliative care. The treatment of symptoms is comprehensively covered, with particular focus on the management of pain. Specific chapters are devoted to the role of palliative care in non-malignant diseases and conditions, whilst education and training are highlighted as critical to future best practice.

The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine has continually evolved, keeping pace with the changing face of palliative care, and this new edition ensures that it remains at the forefront of the specialty. No hospital, hospice, palliative care service, or medical library should be without a copy.

Readership: This book is aimed at all health care professionals working in palliative care, oncology, and the care of patients with chronic, non-malignant, progressive diseases; this includes specialist palliative medicine physicians, oncologists, specialist nurses, geriatricians, surgeons, and family physicians.