Psycho-Oncology

by Thomas N. Wise MD (Editor), Massimo Biondi MD (Editor), Anna Costantini PhD (Editor)

Overview

Psycho-oncology integrates research and clinical wisdom across multiple disciplines -- including oncology, psychiatry, psychology, surgery, radiotherapy and palliative care, among others -- in the service of educating oncologists, physicians, psychiatrists and other mental health care providers, and hospital chaplains about the psychological and psychosocial challenges faced by patients with neoplastic disorders. As cancer treatment has improved, the number of patients deemed "cancer survivors" has grown, along with their more complex, long-term mental health issues. This book assists care providers in meeting the challenge presented by this population. Written by international experts in psycho-oncology, the volume offers a compact overview of the clinical elements in this field, with a primary focus on the biopsychosocial aspects of individuals with cancer as well as their families and important people in their lives. Its "bench-to-bedside" approach ensures that the techniques presented are evidence-based, practical, and effective. The following are among the book's many helpful features:

• The chapters are designed to stand alone, to be shared or consulted as needed, but they also develop a coherent and sequential discussion about management of the patient with cancer, as well as concerns involving the patient's family. Thus, the book as a whole serves as a comprehensive textbook in the field.• The book's structure is based on psychosocial staging, much as the disease itself is staged, and progresses from discovery to initial diagnosis, treatment intervention, remission, and so forth. Each phase has its own challenges -- for patient, family, and care provider -- and supportive strategies are offered.• Because identifying those patients in need of support and treatment intervention is critical, the authors provide screening techniques, as well as an entire chapter devoted to quality of life assessment, to help clinicians recognize struggling patients and alleviate their distress. • A final chapter addresses developing trends in psycho-oncology and suggests that international standards of care for the cancer patient must include competent and compassionate psychosocial assessment and treatment.

Concise and clinically focused, yet addressing the broad issues as well, Psycho-oncology offers cutting-edge information and invaluable assistance to physicians and mental health professionals responsible for managing patients, and the families of patients, with neoplastic disorders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585629909
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/15/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	376
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Thomas N. Wise, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, George Washington University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Medical Director of Behavioral Services, Inova Health Systems, Fairfax, Virginia.

Massimo Biondi, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Anna Costantini, Ph.D., is Director, Psycho-oncology Unit, and Professor of Psycho-oncology, Department of Oncological Sciences, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Table of Contents

ContributorsIntroductionChapter 1. The Crisis of Discovery: Psychological and Psychopathological Reaction to the DiseaseChapter 2. Cancer: A Family AffairChapter 3. Communicating With Cancer Patients and Their FamiliesChapter 4. Demoralization and Depression in CancerChapter 5. Counseling and Specific Psychological Treatments in Common Clinical Settings: An OverviewChapter 6. Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Cancers: Psychosocial ConsiderationsChapter 7. Dimensional Psychopharmacology of the Cancer PatientChapter 8. Advancing Medical Education in Existential Dimensions of Advanced Cancer and Palliative CareChapter 9. Rapid Psychometric Assessment of Distress and DepressionChapter 10. The Value of Quality of Life Assessment in Cancer PatientsChapter 11. Support of the Dying Patient: Psychological Issues and CommunicationChapter 12. Psycho-Oncology and Optimal Standards of Cancer Care: Developments, Multidisciplinary Team Approach, and International GuidelinesIndex

What People are Saying About This

Philip R. Muskin

This is a touchingly personal book with an international flavor. As such, it will not feel foreign to readers in any country. It reads as if one was chatting with the authors, which is quite refreshing. The information moves from conceptual to practical in a seamless fashion and will be useful to all who care for patients with cancer and their families, as well as for those who are responsible for educating clinicians. The volume is a welcome addition to the field.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Sheila Lahijani, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This book is the product of an ambitious, multidisciplinary effort to compile and present the innumerable facets of cancer as they relate to psychological and social welfare. Sophisticated psychological concepts and disorders, such as demoralization, empathy, and depression, are discussed in the context of cancer as a disease. Psychosocial dimensions that are germane to medical oncology, like genetic counseling and pharmacology, are explained. Moreover, throughout the book, there is a strong emphasis on effective communication with adult patients and their families.
Purpose: This is intended as a comprehensive resource for clinicians and their colleagues in oncology. Readers will develop a greater understanding of the distress associated with cancer and how psychosocial factors profoundly impact patients and, therefore, the outcomes of their treatment.
Audience: This is a tremendously useful book for anyone in the field of clinical oncology and for those who interact with patients and their families. It addresses sensitive topics in medicine and psychiatry and reinforces the importance of constructive communication. As such, it serves to educate clinicians and optimize the care of cancer patients.
Features: The 12 chapters cover a range of subjects, including psychosocial reactions to cancer, family relations, counseling, palliative care, quality of life measures, and multidisciplinary team approaches. Each chapter contains clear, detailed explanations of its topic with key clinical points, tables, figures, and references. The discussions are organized from the time of diagnosis through dealing with end of life issues. An additional asset of this book is the diverse and international expertise of its authors. Other remarkable features are the case vignettes, summaries of recommendations, psychometric assessments, descriptions of different types of psychotherapy, summaries of antidepressant trials in cancer patients, and the emphasis on humanization of care and medical education.
Assessment: Although there are other books that focus on the psychological and social challenges in oncology, the readability of this book is superior. Possibly in part because it is published by a division of the American Psychiatric Association, much of the book is devoted to explaining psychosocial themes — psychological concepts and processes, psychiatric symptomatology, and antidepressant trials are presented and discussed. Mental healthcare providers as well as other healthcare clinicians would benefit from using this as a reference to take care of their patients and support caregivers and families. All in all, this book is unique and should be available to anyone working in the field of oncology.

Doody's Review Service

A specific strength with this volume is the focus on how clinicians can understand and assist not just the patient, but also families of patients.

Journal of Psychiatric Practice Vol. 20, No. 6 - Laura B. Dunn