Excellent resource for those caring for patients with distressing symptoms in hospice, cancer or community settings. Includes detailled nursing assessments of etiologies of distressing symptoms, treatment guidelines using the algorithmic model for pain, dyspnea, diarrhea, and all other distressing conditions as well as common issues such as skin care, seizure protocols, management of falls, including lots of tables for adujuvant therapies, scales to use for documentation of care, and non pharmacologic interventions. Caring communication, spiritual assessment and guidelines as well as cultural sensitivity guides are included. An awesome practical pocket sized book for anyone in the hospice and palliative care field.

Drawing from his extensive clinical experience and many years of teaching, Dr. Hallenbeck has written a guide to palliative care for clinicians. Topics addressed range from an overview of death and dying to specific approaches to symptom management. As an introduction to both the art and science of palliative care, this book reflects the perspectives of one physician who has dedicated his career to this rapidly evolving field. the book links real stories of illness with practical advice, thereby delineating clinical practice in a way that reflects the daily concerns of clinicians.

Accompanying CD-ROM contains customizable patient self-care guides.