The first edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine was highly acclaimed and became the definitive text in the area. The new edition has been substantially augmented, revised and improved. New chapters include: provision of palliative care; economics of palliative care; clinical and organisational audit; measurement of pain and other symptoms; principles of drug use in palliative medicine; interventional radiology; asthenia; pruritus and sweating; cultural issues in sub-Saharan Africa, Chinese, Japanese and indigenous Australian populations; development of paediatric palliative care; ethical issues in paediatric palliative care; AIDS in children, and multiprofessional education. In addition to these very substantial additions, a number of chapters have been completely or essentially re-written including : ethics; domiciliary palliative care; medical education; nursing education; neurological aspects of palliative medicine; nausea and vomiting; physiotherapy; neurosurgery in palliative care, and opioid analgesic therapy. There are European and North American authorit ative contributions from over 100 internationally renowned experts, many new for this edition. The Textbook's wide- ranging approach tackles every aspect of palliative care - physical, emotional, social and spiritual; from research to practice, and deals with palliative medicine for all conditions, not just malignancy. General introductory chapters consider the challenges presented by palliative medicine and discuss the historical development and future of the specialty, cultural aspects of dying, models of care provision, and aspects of communication with patients. Later sections examine the scientific principles underlying the subject, and offer a thorough review of the current status of research in the field. Comprehensive and up-to-date guidance is given on the management of pain and other symptoms in advanced disease. As well as emphasizing the emotional, social, and psychological needs of the dying, the book considers the needs of the family and discusses bereavement, support, the involvement of relatives, and the issue of domiciliary care. Other chapters cover ethical aspects of care, rehabilitation, and the education and training of health professionals. Although based on research and practice in the developed world, the growing relevance of palliative care in the developing world is stressed throughout.

Derek Doyle's profile page

Geoffrey Hanks' profile page

Neil MacDonald's profile page

Dr D Doyle, 7 Kaimes Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6JR; tel: 0131-334-3168; fax: 0131-662-2771 Professor G W Hanks, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bristol Oncology Centre, Horfield Road, BRISTOL BS2 8ED; tel: 0117 928 3336 fax: 0117 928 3865 Professor N MacDonald, Director, Center for Bioethics, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2W 1R7 tel: 001-514-987-5617 fax: 001- 514-987-5695

"...will surely become the definitive reference book for everyone practicing in this field... should find a place in every library and palliative care unit." Palliative Care

'This is the second edition of the most authoritative work encompassing the greater part of palliative care. There is material here for all disciplines ... admirably fulfils its role as a source of evidence-based practice in palliative care ... this edition strengthens the Oxford textbook's position as the definitive overview of the field and pracitioners will want to have it available to them, either in their libraries or on their own bookshelves. The editors are to be congratulated on having drawn together all of this material from over 100 contributors.' Stephen Kirkham, Palliative Medicine 1997 12

''This is a welcome revision to the first edition, which was published in 1993. Developments since then have necessitated a new edition of this outstanding and definitive text. Much of the material has been revised, new material and authors added, and a few of the best sections in the first edition have been kept...This is a rich, comprehensive, and current account of palliative medicine. It may be recommended to all physicians and other professionals with an interest in the care of the terminally ill. The text reflects the speciality's interdisciplinary nature by drawing on authors throughout the world who represent a wide array of disciplines.' John F. Seely MD, Annals of the Royal College of Pysicians and Surgeons of Canada, Vol.31, no.4, June 1998

'...will surely become the definitive reference book for everyone practicing in this field... should find a place in every library and palliative care unit.' Palliative Care

"This book is an important benchmark in palliative medicine and should remove from the clinicians language the phrase 'Nothing more can be done'. Indeed, it is the premier textbook of knowledge about what can be done. It should be required reading for oncologists and hospice clinicians, as well as for primary care physicians'. New England Journal of Medicine

'Comprehensive coverage, readable and informative style, and up to date and scientifically presented information make the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine a welcome and excellent textbook. The book's coverage of practical issues is excellent. Management of symptoms is covered comprehensively and clearly, and ethical, cultural, and spiritual issues are discussed in an informative style... This is an important, well written, and extremely useful book." British Medical Journal

''...the definitive textbook on the subject has now gone to the second edition only five years since the first edition...a tour de force of the palliative care and although the work Medicine is used in the title, this is very definitely a multi-disciplinary textbook..This is a thoroughly readable textbook which should be available to all doctors and nurses who come into contact with patients with incurable disease as especially in the last few months of life the carers usually only have "one chance to get it right."' John Moyle, Pain Network Newsletter, no.19, Summer 1998.

" This is a welcome revision to the first edition ... a rich, comprehensive, and current account of palliative medicine. ... recommended to all physicians and other professionals with an interest in the care of the terminally ill." Annals of the RCPSC (June 1998)

" This book contains a massive amount of information, and readers will find something on anything they might want to know about in caring for the terminal patient ... a fine, cost-effective reference for the care of the patient receiving palliation ... for a clinic or hospital library." Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine (1999)

'This book is an important benchmark in palliative medicine and should remove from the clinicians language the phrase 'Nothing more can be done'. Indeed, it is the premier textbook of knowledge about what can be done. It should be required reading for oncologists and hospice clinicians, as well as for primary care physicians.' New England Journal of Medicine

'The editors of Palliative Medicine have gathered together 134 contributors from all over the world to produce this splendid medical reference book. The book is all you would expect of a modern medical textbook with boxes, tables and lengthy reference lists.' The Proceedings of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh