Mastering Communication with Seriously Ill Patients

Image of the book cover for 'Mastering Communication with Seriously Ill Patients'
Author: Anthony Back, Robert Arnold, James Tulsky
Affiliation: University of Washington
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN 10: 0521706181
ISBN 13: 9780521706186
eISBN: 9780511576454
Edition: 1st
Description:
Physicians who care for patients with life-threatening illnesses face daunting communication challenges. Patients and family members can react to difficult news with sadness, distress, anger, or denial. This book defines the specific communication tasks involved in talking with patients with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Topics include delivering bad news, transition to palliative care, discussing goals of advance-care planning and do-not-resuscitate orders, existential and spiritual issues, family conferences, medical futility, and other conflicts at the end of life. Drs. Anthony Back, Robert Arnold, and James Tulsky bring together empirical research as well as their own experience to provide a roadmap through difficult conversations about life-threatening issues. The book offers both a theoretical framework and practical conversational tools that the practicing physician and clinician can use to improve communication skills, increase satisfaction, and protect themselves from burnout.
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