Using a series of cases to illustrate salient points this manual matches the cases with curricular objectives effectively conveying to the student understanding of palliative medicine at undergraduate level.
Palliative care is now an integral part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. Medical education across the board is adopting a case-based approach. This book uses a series of cases to illustrate critical points in palliative medicine. The case-studies have been carefully chosen to reflect real life clinical practice. The contributors illustrate, through the case studies, the desired skills, attitudes, and knowledge required in this field of medicine. Since publication of the second edition, many approaches to palliative care have been further refined and developed. Ongoing research has led to the improved use of existing medications, and the development of several new treatments. More is known about the psychosocial existential distress experienced by patients and their families resulting in an improved understanding by health care providers of how best to approach and assist those affected by advanced illness, and more is known about methadone and other medications with emerging uses. The third edition of this highly popular book continues to offer a panoramic view of palliative care. It introduces a number of new topics including Neurological Disorders, The Last Days, and Palliative Sedation.
Review: This is the third edition of Neil MacDonald's case-based manual of palliative care. Revised to reflect the clinical developments in palliative care, it brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the teaching and practice of what we do. This would be an excellent introductory text for medical students and nurses and for anyone coming to palliative care from other disciplines. IAHPC Newsletter Thank you to our Canadian colleagues; this is an excellent book and one all students and teachers of palliative care should have on our bookshelves. Journal of Palliative Medicine, Jan 2013 I am in awe of this book's presentation. Sometimes, a book with a lot more information and more in-depth study actually does not help readers understand concepts as well as this one does ... This third edition continues to offer a panoramic view of palliative care while introducing a number of new topics including neurological disorders, the last days, and palliative sedation. Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association, March 2013