DOI: 10.1002/pon.

4921

BOOK REVIEW

PALLIATIVE PSYCHOLOGY: CLINICAL most common physical and emotional symptoms is carefully clarified
and potential strategies for effective assessment and evaluation are
PERSPECTIVES ON AN EMERGING
considered. Further consideration is also given to the development
SPECIALTY of a care plan and how treatment may unfold. In each domain, effec-
tive communication strategies are addressed, including discussions
E. Alessandra Strada with the health care team regarding psychosocial barriers to clinical
care. To aid this communication, psychologists should be able to rec-
New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. 320 pp. $60.00 paperback, $47.89
ognize common clinical symptoms in the palliative setting, understand
E‐book
their likely origin and course, and perhaps possess some basic knowl-
edge in pharmacological management. In addition, the author
In response to a growing need, the author of this text, E. Alessandra
discusses the principles of psychotherapy, including the process and
Strada, is advocating for the formalization of a new specialty,
likely content of therapy throughout the different phases of the
Palliative Psychology. According to the author, this emerging specialty
disease.
should focus on providing specialist psychological evaluations and
Chapter 4 addresses the “Social Aspects of Care,” with special
interventions to patients and families within the palliative care space.
attention given to the needs of families and caregivers. It is important
Strada begins her text with a comprehensive introduction to the field
to note the wide variety of potential needs they may be clinically rel-
and builds a solid foundation for this proposal. As this book is targeted
evant, including potential complications associated with bereavement.
to psychologists interested in palliative and end‐of‐life care, the author
In view of this fact, family members should be comprehensively
provides important guidance on the translation and applicability
assessed and an appropriate supportive care plan developed. Potential
of knowledge from other clinical fields of psychology to this highly
interventions are suggested, including participation in family meetings
specialized setting. The goals and relevance of this new specialty are for patients in palliative care. Following this, essential components of
clearly laid out, with time devoted to the varied roles that exists and care are discussed, including “Spiritual, Religious, and Existential
competencies necessary to work in palliative care as a psychologist. Aspects” and “Cultural Aspects of Care.” Both domains are critical to
This book provides an opportunity to formally introduce the providing effective and compassionate care and help to elucidate
expertise of the psychologist to the palliative care and hospice team potential barriers to the provision of palliative care in various situa-
and to offer some guidance for potential training programs to guide tions. The importance for psychologists in this setting to work collab-
this expertise development. The eight chapters are organized in line oratively with other care providers (eg, chaplain and social worker) is
with the eight domains of palliative care, as proposed by the National given extensive and appropriate attention. The seventh domain, “Care
Consensus Project. Each domain (chapter) describes palliative of the Patient at the End of Life,” refers to the process of dying,
psychology competencies, in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes including many of the issues that can arise during the last months of
required in this challenging care setting. Cases are used to illustrate life. Psychologists should be aware of what is expected during this
the content discussed and to demonstrate how the psychologist's phase, including symptoms, physical and emotional changes, and palli-
expertise can be incorporated in each scenario, including the ability ative therapies. This can facilitate communication between the family,
to effectively target patients' and families' psychosocial needs. patient, and physician and will also support and assist patient and fam-
Chapter 1, “Structure and Processes of Care,” describes the ily caregivers throughout the dying process. The final chapter is
complex system of palliative care and its variety of settings and devoted to the complex “Ethical and Legal Aspects of Care,” to safe-
populations, including a brief background about the history and guard the rights of each patient and their family and caregivers,
development of the palliative care model and current care structures. assisting them to deliberate care preferences, facilitating advance care
In view of the physical, emotional, and mental challenges commonly planning, and ensuring their safety.
experienced in this specialty, risk factors for burnout and strategies Overall, this text provides an impressive and in‐depth perspective
to mitigate or to protect the professional are addressed. In the second on psychology in the palliative care setting. Dr Strada elucidates sev-
and third chapters, “Physical Aspects of Care” and “Psychological and eral different areas of the palliative care, as well as the different role
Psychiatric Aspects of Care,” respectively, the management of the tasks and training that are relevant for psychologists. This text forms

Psycho‐Oncology. 2018;1–2. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pon © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 1

a powerful resource for professionals interested in this new specialty Cristiane Decat Bergerot PhD
and serves to effectively promote the importance and necessity of
the psychologist in the palliative care setting. Correspondence
Cristiane Decat Bergerot, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology & Experimental
Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010.
ORCID Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Cristiane Decat Bergerot http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0037-0303