Textbook of Palliative Medicine [Paperback]

Eduardo Bruera (Author), Irene J Higginson (Author), Carla Ripamonti (Author), Charles F Von Gunten (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0340966246 | ISBN-13: 978-0340966242 | Publication Date: April 13, 2009 | Edition: 1

Textbook of Palliative Medicine provides an alternative, truly international approach to this rapidly growing specialty. This textbook fills a niche with its evidence-based, multi-professional approach and global perspective ensured by the international team of editors and contributing authors. In the absence of an international `curriculum` for the study of palliative medicine, this textbook provides essential guidance for those either embarking upon a career in palliative medicine or already established in the field, and the structure and content have been constructed very much with this in mind.
With an emphasis on providing a service anywhere in the world, including the important issue of palliative care in the developing nations, Textbook of Palliative Medicine offers a genuine alternative to the narrative approach of its competitors, and is an ideal complement to them. It is essential reading for all palliative care physicians in training and in practice, as well as palliative care nurses and other health professionals in the palliative care team.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...core palliative care text. [It] should be included in the libraries of medical and nursing schools, residency and fellowship programs, hospitals, and hospice and palliative care programs...The editors have blended the contributions of these clinicians, educators, and researchers into a thoughtful, comprehensive, readable, evidence-based text that addresses the history as well as the practice of palliative medicine throughout the world."--Journal of Palliative Medicine

About the Author

Eduardo Bruera, Professor and Chair, Department of Palliative Care & Rehabilitation Medicine, U.T. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA Irene J Higginson, Professor of Palliative Care and Policy, Kings College London, UK Carla Ripamonti, Head, Day-Hospital and Outpatient Clinic of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Operative Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy Charles von Gunten, Director, Center for Palliative Studies, San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, San Diego California, USAEduardo Bruera, Professor and Chair, Department of Palliative Care & Rehabilitation Medicine, U.T. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA Irene J Higginson, Professor of Palliative Care and Policy, Kings College London, UK Carla Ripamonti, Head, Day-Hospital and Outpatient Clinic of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Operative Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy Charles von Gunten, Director, Center for Palliative Studies, San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, San Diego California, USA

Product Details

• Paperback: 1095 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Arnold Publishers; 1 edition (April 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340966246
• ISBN-13: 978-0340966242
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Death & Grief > Hospice Care

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid, readable, and pertinent, July 13, 2010

By 

L. Kemena "Colorado Ben" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Textbook of Palliative Medicine (Paperback)

Many times, I see a textbook as a reference, but to actually read the text beyond a reference point is absolutely stultifying -- akin to reading a telephone book. I'm pleased to report that this text is highly readable and actually has a method (Oslerian) to its organizational presentation.

I appreciate the homage this text pays to historical pioneers as well as present-day leaders in the field. All of us stand on the shoulders of giants -- and it's good medicine to understand the evolution of the field. This is true with respect to public policy, historical events, financial realities, disease epidemics and drug development.

The vast majority of palliative care throughout the world remains lay-led. This will not change in the foreseeable future. In some ways, this core understanding provides a thoroughly pragmatic and realistic grounding of palliative care within medicine. But what this textbook gently conveys is the notion that professional leadership and academic tethering of the field makes a genuine difference. We can't be good at everything -- and letting go of hubris (no matter the academic recognition or professional laurels) is the first step in caring for others. We can -- and must -- learn from others -- and that's why textbooks are important.

The textbook does not preach, it does not scold, and it does not trick. When I come to read this textbook, I don't want or need riddles or contrived intuition -- I just need some background and thoughtful options. I think the authors have aimed well! Because the "certification" of palliative care in the USA is so new (2006), some of the text materials in the field were brought too quick to market (in my humble opinion) and really lack for poor or cursory editing.

Like palliative care itself, developing a textbook is a process. I hope there will be a next edition and I'm sure it will be better. One can always be a critic -- to be sure -- but actually putting a good textbook together is a real feat and I'm humbled to use and read this one!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy Duty!, February 5, 2010

By 

Lee Fook Kay Aaron "Book Joe" (Hong Kong, China) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Textbook of Palliative Medicine (Paperback)

Dear all,
I have purchased this volume of book for reference as I planned to work in an institute heavily involved in palliative medicine and care of elderly suffering from terminal illnesses.
I found this book very comprehensive and I can get most useful information from it on nearly every topics that are relevant to my clinical practice.
It is a very good reference for those who are working for the benefit of elderly who suffered from incurable disease, but one wish to maintain their quality of lives at the end of life care setting.
I highly recommend this book to colleagues in geriatric field!
BR,
Aaron Lee.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Free PDF Online, September 23, 2011

By 

G. Knutsen "Pharm.D. Cookery" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Textbook of Palliative Medicine (Hardcover)

This is a fine book that is why I am giving it five stars even though I returned it. I purchased it for a class and found out that you can get the entire book in pdf form free online. So I went that route, it saved my wallet and my back (this is a huge heavy book to carry to class) now I can just have it on my laptop for free. I just googled "Textbook of Palliative medicine PDF" and it was my first hit, so it should be pretty easy to find if you want to save some money and not carry around a really heavy book!

I do understand that some people do prefer print to electronic though, so that is why I still gave it a good rating.