IMPROVING PALLIATIVE CARE FOR CANCER
Kathleen M. Foley and Hellen Gelband (Eds)
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National Academy Press, 2001
325pp
ISBN 0-309-07402-9
RRP $US45 £33
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This is the report of the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council on how the provision of palliative care for patients with cancer might
be improved. It examines in detail the barriers that prevent many people from receiving effective palliative care where and when they need it. It makes a series of recommendations, both at professional
and governmental levels, to improve the system. Whilst describing the situation in the United States, the problems and the principles of the recommendations are universal.
Part II of the report consists of commissioned background papers that examine economic issues, quality indicators, the availability of information, special populations, clinical practice guidelines
and professional education, all written by leaders in the field.
This is an excellent summary of the interface between Oncology and Palliative Care and how the situation should and can be improved. At a professional level, it leaves one to ponder the quality
of care that is being delivered, and it should be required reading for anybody involved in policy making in this field.
Roger Woodruff
Director of Palliative Care, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
(November 2004)
Author Information
Dr Kathleen Foley is Director, Project on Death in America, The Open Society and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
Helen Gelband is the Study Director, National Cancer Policy Board
Table of Contents
Part 1
Executive Summary
1 Background and Recommendations
Part 2
2 Reliable, High-Quality, Efficient End-of-Life Care for Cancer Patients: Economic Issues and Barriers
3 Quality of Care and Quality Indicators for End-of-Life Cancer Care: Hope for the Best, Yet Prepare for the Worst
4 The Current State of Patient and Family Information About End-Of-Life Care
5 Palliative Care for African Americans and Other Vulnerable Populations: Access and Quality Issues
6 End-of-Life Care: Special Issues in Pediatric Oncology
7 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Psychosocial and Physical Symptoms of Cancer
8 Cross-Cutting Research Issues: A Research Agenda for Reducing Distress of Patients With Cancer
9 Professional Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Physicians, Nurses, and Social Workers
Index
