Customer Reviews

Cancer in Context: A Practical Guide to Supportive Care (Oxford Medical Publications)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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This book looks at what professionals and other people can do to
care
for cancer patients. It covers the topic from several different
angles: what patients are dealing with (the lived experience), the
impact of cancer on the patient's family, the main treatments that
are
involved and how best to manage their side-effects, communication,
and
even how professionals can avoid burn-out. It's easy to read
because
Brennan avoids jargon though there were one or two more technical
bits
that I skipped. But it's mostly a practical book written by someone
who
knows his field. And it's well-written. Every page has something
interesting to think about. I recommend it to anyone affected by
cancer
and certainly cancer doctors and nurses should read it.

An exceptionally well written book with appeal and accessibility to three groups that are involved in supportive care of the terminally ill: the patient, the health care professional, and the family/friends of the patient. The work is immediately relevant to health care professionals in understanding their roles in caring for the terminally ill. The book is also helpful to family members and friends who find themselves in the caregiver role. It brings everything down to a human level for all three parties: the emotions and perspectives of the patient, and the practical and emotional challenges faced by the caregivers.

The author has managed to write a book at a level that is neither too simplistic nor overly technical. The use of medical jargon is kept to a necessary minimum. The needs/emotions/outlook of the patient and the roles of the professionals and non professionals who care for them are illustrated in a style that is easy to read and a perspective that is empathic.