Palliative care is now an integral part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. Medical education across the board is adopting a case-based approach. This book uses a series of cases to illustrate critical points in palliative medicine. The case-studies have been carefully chosen to reflect real life clinical practice. The contributors illustrate, through the case studies, the desired skills, attitudes, and knowledge required in this field of medicine.

Since publication of the second edition, many approaches to palliative care have been further refined and developed. Ongoing research has led to the improved use of existing medications, and the development of several new treatments. More is known about the psychosocial existential distress experienced by patients and their families resulting in an improved understanding by health care providers of how best to approach and assist those affected by advanced illness, and more is known about
methadone and other medications with emerging uses.

The third edition of this highly popular book continues to offer a panoramic view of palliative care. It introduces a number of new topics including Neurological Disorders, The Last Days, and Palliative Sedation.