Palliative Care

Palliative Care is the first book to provide a comprehensive understanding of the new field that is transforming the way Americans deal with serious illness. Diane E. Meier, M.D., one of the field's leaders and a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "e;genius award"e; in 2009, opens the volume with a sweeping overview of the field. In her essay, Dr. Meier examines the roots of palliative care, explores the key legal and ethical issues, discusses the development of palliative care, and presents ideas on policies that can improve access to palliative care. Dr. Meier's essay is followed by reprints of twenty-five of the most important articles in the field. They range from classic pieces by some of the field's pioneers, such as Eric Cassel, Balfour Mount, and Elizabeth K bler-Ross, to influential newer articles on topics such as caregiving and cost savings of palliative care. The reprints cover a wide range of topics including: Why the care of the seriously ill is so important Efforts to cope with advanced illness Legal and ethical issues Pain management Cross-cultural issues Philosophical perspective The demand for palliative care has been nothing short of stunning largely because of palliative care's positive impact on both the quality and the cost of care provided to seriously ill individuals. By providing a wide-ranging perspective on this growing field, this book will serve as a guide for developing meaningful approaches that will lead to better health care for all Americans.

Palliative Care is the first book to provide a comprehensiveunderstanding of the new field that is transforming the wayAmericans deal with serious illness.Diane E. Meier, M.D., one of the field's leaders and a recipientof a MacArthur Foundation "genius award" in 2009, opens the volumewith a sweeping overview of the field. In her essay, Dr. Meierexamines the roots of palliative care, explores the key legal andethical issues, discusses the development of palliative care, andpresents ideas on policies that can improve access to palliativecare.Dr. Meier's essay is followed by reprints of twenty-five of themost important articles in the field. They range from classicpieces by some of the field's pioneers, such as Eric CasselBalfour Mount, and Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, to influential newerarticles on topics such as caregiving and cost savings ofpalliative care. The reprints cover a wide range of topicsincluding:* Why the care of the seriously ill is so important* Efforts to cope with advanced illness* Legal and ethical issues* Pain management* Cross-cultural issues* Philosophical perspectiveThe demand for palliative care has been nothing short ofstunning--largely because of palliative care's positive impacton both the quality and the cost of care provided to seriously illindividuals. By providing a wide-ranging perspective on thisgrowing field, this book will serve as a guide for developingmeaningful approaches that will lead to better health care for allAmericans.