Palliative Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Motor Neuron Disease) [Hardcover]

David Oliver (Editor), Gian Domenico Borasio (Editor), Declan Walsh (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192631667 | ISBN-13: 978-0192631664 | Publication Date: December 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Although new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone disease are being developed, these at present offer only the potential to slow the disease process. Therefore a palliative care approach to the care of the patient and their family is at the center of good clinical practice in ALS/MND. This book aims to provide and evidence based guide to the care of people with ALS/MND, including the control of symptoms, the psychosocial care of patients and their families and care in bereavement. The palliative care approach to the care of ALS/MND is outlined and the role of the multidisciplinary team emphasized. The international authorship are from many different disciplines and are all closely involved in the care of ALS patients; giving a depth of practical knowledge and experience and allowing a comparison of the differences across cultures, social circumstances, health care systmes and nations. All contributors are clinicians involved in the care of people with ALS/MND and they are able to provide clear guidelines of the care throughout the disease process, from telling of the diagnosis to death. The experience of patients and families are considered and case studies are provided to show the practical applications of the theoretical knowledge. An evidence based approach, grounded in day to day care of patients, is used. Different models of care are explored and the interaction of palliative care with other treatment regimes is addressed, as the experience from the treatment of cancer has shown that there may easily be areas of conflict and confusion if there is a lack of clarity in the care provided for patients. The book aims to provide a reference for all involved in the care of patients with ALS/MND, including neurologists, general physicians, rehabilitationists, paramedical staff, general/family practitioners and specialist palliative care teams. The care of a patient with ALS/MND, and their family, is often a challenge, but one all should take up so that patients can live life as fully as possible.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is reasonably priced and will prove valuable to medical and paramedical staff caring for MND patients. It provides comprehensive, evidence based information clearly written and accessible to a multidisciplinary readership. The advice is practical, compassionate and based on extensive clinical experience."Brain

"Throughout the book, a positive tone emerges reflecting the view that, despite the devastating effects of MND, much can be done to alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life of the afflicted person and to assist patients and their families to cope throughout the various phases of the disease."Palliative Medicine

"Palliative Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis comprehensively and successfully fills what was previously a noticable gap in palliative care literature and should be regarded as the essential reference text for any unit or individual professional involved in any way with the care of patients with ALS."Progress in Palliative Care

"This volume crystallises current perspectives on the palliative management of ALS with consummate skill. Although not a long volume it covers the many important and complex in a very balanced manner. All health professionals involved in the care of ALS sufferers will benefit from reading it."..."It should be available to all departments providing care for ALS patients and carers and is an outstanding contribution to the ALS literature."Jnl of Neurology

"This book is reasonably priced and will prove valuable to medical and paramedical staff caring for MND patients. It provides comprehensive, evidence based information clearly written and accessible to a multidisciplinary readership. The advice is practical, compassionate and based on extensive clinical experience." Brain

"Throughout the book, a positive tone emerges reflecting the view that, despite the devastating effects of MND, much can be done to alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life of the afflicted person and to assist patients and their families to cope throughout the various phases of the disease." Palliative Medicine

"Palliative Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis comprehensively and successfully fills what was previously a noticeable gap in palliative care literature and should be regarded as the essential reference text for any unit or individual professional involved in any way with the care of patients with ALS." Progress in Palliative Care

"This volume crystallises current perspectives on the palliative management of ALS with consummate skill. Although not a long volume it covers the many important and complex in a very balanced manner. All health professionals involved in the care of ALS sufferers will benefit from reading it."..."It should be available to all departments providing care for ALS patients and carers and is an outstanding contribution to the ALS literature." Journal of Neurology

`This book is reasonably priced and will prove valuable to medical and paramedical staff caring for MND patients. It provides comprehensive, evidence based information clearly written and accessible to a multidisciplinary readership. The advice is practical, compassionate and based on extensive clinical experience.' Brain

`Throughout the book, a positive tone emerges reflecting the view that, despite the devastating effects of MND, much can be done to alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life of the afflicted person and to assist patients and their families to cope throughout the various phases of the disease.' Palliative Medicine

About the Author

David Oliver is a Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Palliative Care at the Kent Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Kent and at the Wisdom Hospice, Rochester, UK Gian Domenico Borasio is Leader of the Motor Neurone Disease Research Group in the Department of Neurology at the University of Munich, Germany. Declan Walsh is Professor and Director of the Palliative Care Program at The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (December 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192631667
• ISBN-13: 978-0192631664
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,931,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)