Textbook of Palliative Care Communication

This comprehensive guide on communication in palliative care offers insights from various disciplines, addressing healthcare providers' needs. It covers topics like health literacy, family communication, and conducting research in the field.

The Textbook of Palliative Care Communication serves as a comprehensive resource on the vital topic of communication within palliative care settings. Developed by a diverse interdisciplinary editorial team, this authoritative text addresses the needs of various healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. It brings together clinicians and academic researchers, fostering a collaborative approach to understanding and improving communication practices in palliative care.

The book begins with a foundational exploration of communication, discussing key issues in research and outlining specific methodologies for studying communication in the context of palliative care. It covers essential topics such as health literacy, cultural communication, and the dynamics of patient and family interactions. The text also examines barriers to effective communication, particularly when discussing sensitive topics like pain management, life support, advance care planning, and quality of life issues, including sexuality, spirituality, hope, and grief.

In addition to theoretical insights, the volume offers practical tools for enhancing communication skills. It features chapters dedicated to team communication across various care settings and summarizes current research and educational strategies for healthcare professionals. Notably, the book includes guidance on conducting both qualitative and quantitative communication research, encouraging further exploration in the field of palliative care. Overall, this text aims to bridge the gap between scholarship and practice, equipping readers with the knowledge and skills necessary for patient-centered communication in challenging healthcare environments.