Reviewed By:
Barry Goldlist, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine
Edited by: Harvey M. Chochinov and William Breitbart
Oxford University Press, 2000
ISBN # 0-19-509299-6
This multi-authored text 'grew out' of the editor's contribution to the most recent edition of The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. The authors are well-respected leaders in the field, and do not reside or practice in any one geographic area. Ten of the contributors are from Canada. This broad representation of authors ensures that the information in the book is based on views which are not parochial, but are rather widely acceptable. The textbook covers more than just psychiatric issues. There is a very good chapter summarizing the principles of physical symptom management in the terminally ill, and there are sections dealing with family and staff issues, and ethical and spiritual issues, which are also appropriate in a general textbook of palliative care.
The chapters specifically pertaining to psychiatric care are all very good, particularly the one on diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care. There is also an extensive section on psychotherapeutic interventions and palliative care. Some of these chapters contain very helpful case examples, which can aid the non-psychiatrist in particular.
In summary, this text is well written and thorough, and covers many important aspects of palliative care. Health specialists involved in palliative care are the most likely target of this book, as most physicians involved in palliative care would probably prefer to purchase a more general text, such as The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. However, any palliative care service or hospice would benefit from having this book available as a reference.
