Management of Symptoms in the Actively Dying Patient Paul Rousseau Leigh Vaughan The obligation of physicians to relieve suffering is universal, particularly when death is imminent and the indignities of…

Caregiving in the Home Betty Ferrell Jo Hanson CAREGIVING Background In the United States, caring for the patient in the home setting has undergone marked shifts over the last 30…

Disorders of Sexuality and Reproduction Mary K. Hughes INTRODUCTION Palliative care applies to the entire course of cancer, from diagnosis to death, and enhances quality of life (1). Bruner and…

Psychosocial Consequences of Advanced Cancer James R. Zabora Matthew J. Loscalzo All psychosocial care is palliative in nature. Attention must be directed to the realities of one’s life within their…

The Family Meetings Lori L. Olson Sumi K. Misra Mohana B. Karlekar Sara F. Martin INTRODUCTION The goal of excellent palliative care is to collaboratively meet the needs of the…

Communication during Transitions of Care James A. Tulsky Robert M. Arnold Palliative care aims to improve quality of life for patients and families living with serious illness. Good communication is…

Cultural Issues James Hallenbeck People experience health and illness in cultural contexts. A better understanding of culture helps the clinician avoid certain common pitfalls, thereby improving the chances of good…

Hospice Martha L. Twaddle Sally A. Kelley END-OF-LIFE CARE For each of us, the sounds of our time passing are amplified in our feelings and emotions, in our fears and…

Epidemiology and Prognostication in Advanced Cancer Paul A. Glare Iwant to die at home, Paul Newman tells his family as he’s given ‘weeks to live.’” So read the headline in…

Substance-Abuse Issues in Palliative Care Julie R. Hamrick Steven D. Passik Kenneth L. Kirsh INTRODUCTION Chemical dependency in patients with advanced illness poses complex clinical challenges. Particularly alarming is the…