The Art and Science of Palliative Nursing

Abstract

As noted by the editors of this comprehensive textbook, this edition “comes at a time when palliative nursing has truly come of age” (p. ix). This textbook, which now carries the official designation of the Oxford University Press, is the definitive treatise on palliative nursing. The textbook contains a total of 78 chapters that are written by teams of interdisciplinary experts, which exemplifies the collaboration that is needed to achieve both compassionate and competent palliative care. The scope and breadth of the content of the chapters are far reaching and highly relevant to all aspects of pain and symptom management for palliative care patients. Part I provides an excellent introduction to the general principles of palliative nursing. Part II, which appropriately so, is one of the largest portions of the textbook, focuses on the assessment and management of symptoms in palliative care patients. Part III focuses on psychosocial support of patients and family caregivers. Part IV provides information on spiritual care. The fifth section of the textbook discusses the palliative care needs of special patient populations, including the poor, homeless and underserved, as well as elderly patients and patients with substance abuse disorders. Additional sections of the textbook are devoted to end-of-life issues across settings, pediatric palliative care, special issues for the nurse in end-of-life care, and international models of palliative care. The final chapter is entitled “A Good Death,” which is the ultimate goal that all palliative care nurses strive to ensure for all patients. One of the most attractive features of this textbook is its “user-friendly” format. Each chapter contains a set of key points that summarize the major conclusions in each chapter. Each chapter contains the perfect balance of science and art. The theoretical and scientific underpinnings of each chapter are clearly articulated. These provide the foundation on which is built the assessment and management principles that can be integrated into routine care of palliative care patients. Each chapter is filled with tables and figures that enhance the content of the chapter. This textbook is designed to provide clinicians and educators with the information that they need to provide care to patients across the continuum of palliative care. The writing style is clear and concise. In my opinion, this textbook should be on the bookshelf of every palliative care clinician. Christine Miaskowski, RN, PhD, FAAN, is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor, and Sharon A. Lamb Endowed Chair in Symptom Management Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.