| Abstract: |
Palliative medicine emerged during the late 1980s and had its origins in the hospice movement. Initially practiced in the community, it later became adopted by acute care and academic settings, and it became a subspecialty. Psychosocial oncology emerged from consultation-liaison psychiatry in a small number of cancer centers and rapidly expanded nationally and globally. Both disciplines were practiced by clinical teams with independent structures and processes. Unlike the previous two editions, this one has a subtitle: Psychosocial Care of the Terminally Ill. This revised title was chosen with purpose and intent, declaring an expanded mandate reaching across multiple disciplines with a vested interest in psychosocial care of the terminally ill. Since its initial publication in 2000, psychosocial palliative care has evolved and 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. Like the first and second edition, the third edition, features a cadre of authors considered international leaders in the field. Without their expertise, wisdom, and generous contribution to this project, the book would simply not have been possible. It is divided into 45 chapters (12 more than the previous edition) and seven distinct sections, including Psychiatric and Psychosocial Palliative Care: Overview; Psychiatric Complications of Terminal Illness; Psychosocial Issues in Palliative Care; Ethical, Existential, and Spiritual Issues in Palliative Care; Understanding and Managing Symptoms; Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Palliative Care; and Life Cycle Considerations in Palliative Care. While some of the chapters from the second edition have been included, each has been updated and, in some instances, new authors brought on board to reflect recent innovations and insights, along with reflections on the state of research and research opportunities within those subject areas. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) |
