FIGURE
Patients With Cancer: Understanding the Psychological Pain
D. Houldin. Philadelphia, PA. Lippincott, 2000. 157 pp.
Patents living with cancer not only face physical illness but also psychological and emotional pain caused by the disease. This resource provides a guide to the principal issues causing psychological pain for patients with cancer and explores therapeutic interventions aimed at relieving a patient's distress.
The text addresses nine major themes common to patients with cancer, with case studies from the real world of oncologic nursing provided by the author, a nurse-psychologist, and educator. Readers will begin to understand patients' and families' behaviors and concerns and define the clinician's role in providing psychological support for patients with cancer. Psychological interventions that assist patients in coping with the challenges of their illness and its treatment are presented to be included in care planning.