Oxford Textbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care 3e

Communication is a core skill for medical professionals when treating patients. Cancer and palliative care present some of the most challenging clinical situations. This textbook provides evidence-based strategies alongside case examples, tips, and strategies to achieve effective, patient-centred communication.

The Oxford Textbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care guides readers through the art of communication in cancer and palliative care, integrating clinical experience with evidence-based empirical findings to provide a range of strategies and skills that clinicians can develop to optimise their person- and family-centred care.Written for clinicians across disciplines, including specialist physicians, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and family doctors, this text addresses the complexities of communication when illness is life threatening, curable, progressive, malignant, or due to chronic organ failure. Patients and family may be survivors or approaching end-of-life, confronted with existential and spiritual uncertainty, and in need of the very best care that is not only clinically competent, but also compassionate and comprehensive.The international team of authors provide state-of-the-art guidelines across 65 chapters. Topics range from discussing serious news, prognosis, and treatments decisions, to addressing survivorship or disease progression, exploring genetic risk and molecular profiling, managing difficult conversations around adverse events, and how to talk about optimal management.Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition introduces expanded sections on a core curriculum, the principles of communication science, and tailored curricula for nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team. Specialty topics explore areas including sexuality and infertility, culture and diversity, immunotherapy and targeted therapies, discussion of errors, medical aid in dying, complementary therapies, and use of telemedicine. Different countries have adopted different approaches to communication skills training, which are contrasted in this textbook, alongside research principles and tools for those seeking to advance communication science.