Enhanced Palliative Care: A handbook for paramedics, nurses and doctors

Book excerpt: Specifically designed to enhance your knowledge and skills within generalist palliative care, this informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principle areas you may encounter whilst working with adult palliative and end-of-life patients, and their families. The development of the text has been backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and each chapter has been written by a range of specialist and generalist authors. The topics covered include approaches to palliative care and symptom management in a wide range of conditions and populations, with chapters linked to case studies to encourage interactive learning and understanding. Communication skills are also highlighted to help aid confidence when engaging in open and difficult conversations. The text is in line with Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines and the NES Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care. The book may either be used as course reading for relevant training programmes, such as the Enhanced Palliative Care course, as well as by healthcare professionals hoping to develop their skills and practice. It is aimed at anyone involved in management and prescribing within non-specialist palliative care, both in hospitals and in the community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other key health professionals.