Communication in Palliative Nursing - Hardcover

Wittenberg-Lyles, Elaine; Goldsmith, Joy; Ferrell, Betty; Ragan, Sandra L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199796823 ISBN 13: 9780199796823

Publisher: OUP USA, 2013

Synopsis

Communication in Palliative Nursing unites complementary work in communication studies and nursing research to present a theoretically grounded curriculum for teaching palliative care communication to nurses. The chapters outline the COMFORT curriculum, comprised of these elements: Communication, Orientation and opportunity, Mindful presence, Family, Openings, Relating, and Team communication. Central to this curriculum is the need for nurses to practice self-care.

Based on a narrative approach to communication, which addresses communication skills development holistically, this volume teaches nurses to consider a holistic model of communication that aligns with the holistic nature of palliative care. This work moves beyond the traditional and singular view of the nurse as patient and family teacher, to embrace more complex communication challenges present in palliative care - namely, providing care and comfort through communication at a time when patients, families, and nurses themselves are suffering. In addition to collaborating with physicians, the nurse's role involves speaking with patients and families after they have received bad news and often extends to discussions of spiritual and religious concerns. This book covers communication theory, clinical tools, and teaching resources to help nurses enhance their own communication and create comfort for themselves, as well as for patients and their families.

About this title

Review:

This exceptional book defines communication as it applies to palliative nursing and serves as a guide to providing effective communication in palliative nursing. The COMFORT model (Communication, Orientation and opportunity, Mindfulness, Family, Oversight, Reiterative and radically adaptive messages, and Team), upon which the book is based, is a groundbreaking construct that is easily applied to nursing practice.The chapter-by-chapter explanation and application of the model allows readers to focus on a particular area of interest, or to learn the entire model. One of the outstanding features of this book is the inclusion of the "Teaching Resources and Materials" at the end of chapters. There are no other books on communication in palliative nursing that can be compared to this exceptional offering. (Darrell A Owens, DNP (University of Washington Medicine))

This book is written for nurses but the messages are relevant to all the healthcare professionals who work in palliative care. Written by an expert in palliative care nursing (BF) and experts in communication (the others), it underlines the importance of communication and that it can be learned. (IAHPC Newsletter, March 2013)

About the Author:

Elaine Wittenberg-Lyles is Associate Professor at Markey Cancer Center, College of Communication, University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary communication and collaboration among hospice and palliative care teams. Joy Goldsmith is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Young Harris College and has been conducting research on communication and illness, specifically in the context of hospice and palliative care, for the last 8 years Betty Ferrell is Professor and Research Scientist at the City of Hope Medical Center in Los Angeles. She has worked in oncology nursing for 35 years and has focused her clinical expertise and research in pain management, quality of life, and palliative care. Sandra L. Ragan is Professor Emerita in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Serving at the University of Oklahoma between 1983-2006, she held the positions of Director of Graduate Studies, Chair of the Department of Communication, and Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP USA
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0199796823
• ISBN 13: 9780199796823
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 312