Pediatric Psychooncology: Psychological Perspectives on Children with Cancer / Edition 1

by David J. Bearison, Raymond K. Mulhern

Overview

Twenty to thirty years ago, the prognosis for children with cancer was dismal. Since then, remarkable advances in the treatment of childhood cancers have resulted in overall cure rates of 60 percent. In response to these improved prognoses, psychological frontiers of patient care and clinical research have evolved. Psychologists as well as mental health professionals from other disciplines are now routinely included in medical treatment planning and patient care. Psychosocial interventions with pediatric cancer patients and their families are guided by an increasingly sophisticated body of research findings that enhance their quality of life. With contributions from nationally recognized clinicians and researchers, this volume addresses the wide range of psychological issues inherent in pediatric oncology, including coping with pediatric cancer, pain and symptom management, medication compliance, neuropsychological effects of disease and therapy, sibling and family relations, bereavement, and care of the dying child. Each author carefully defines his or her research area, discusses theoretical and methodological concerns, critically reviews and integrates research findings, and discusses unresolved issues as well as future directions for research. This balanced and comprehensive overview of pediatric psychooncology is essential reading for all those interested in the treatment of children diagnosed with cancer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195079319
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/26/1994
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.31(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Bearison, David J., PhD (City Univ of New York); Mulhern, Raymond K., PhD (St Jude Children's Research Hospital)

The contributors represent the specialties of pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, and hematology/oncology. Most of them come from U.S. children's hospitals and cancer centers affiliated with academic medical centers. Institutions prominently represented include St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Univ of Rochester, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Table of Contents

Introduction, D.J. Bearison and R.K. Mulhern
1. Pediatric Oncology: A Medical Overview, L. Granowetter
2. Coping with Pediatric Cancer: Theoretical and Research Perspectives, M.J. Kupst
3. Pain and Symptom Management, L. Zeltzer
4. Medication Compliance in Pediatric Oncology, D.J. Bearison
5. Neuropsychological Late Effects, R.K. Mulhern
6. Sibling and Family Relations, P.J. Carpenter and C. LeVant
7. Bone Marrow Transplantation, S. Phipps
8. Implications of Survival: Pediatric Oncology Patients and their Families, A.E. Kazak
9. Care of the Dying Child and the Bereaved, I. Martinson and D. Papaatou
10. Future Directions in Pediatric Psychooncology, R.K. Mulhern and D.J. Bearison
Author Index
Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

"A timely update of the important new challenges and developments in pediatric psychooncology. The book is clearly laid out and begins with a medical overview which is helpful for those not completely familiar with the field. Throughout the book there is excellent discussion about basic difficulties in doing research into psychological issues in pediatric oncology."—The Lancet

"The chapters on survivorship and bereavement are particularly compelling....an important addition to the libraries of those who treat and support pediatric oncology patients as well as those who will plan and conduct this research in the future."—Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

"This book should be available to every pediatric oncology social worker. It is an excellent source of information to the new worker and validates those who have been in this field for many years....Each chapter is deliberately and intelligently written....It is a valuable investment and a worthwhile tool for any pediatric oncology social worker."—Rob Herrera, Cooper Hospital University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey

"Well-edited, valuable, and timely...It is sufficiently concise to be both affordable and easily readable, identifies a wealth of published research, and is highly recommended to anyone with a clinical or research interest in the psychosocial welfare of children and adolescents with cancer and their families."—Death Studies

"A timely book...The editors of this volume, both well respected investigators and therapists, have each pioneered significant aspects of their field....An excellent introductory text."—Canadian Academy of Child Psychiatry Review

". . . this book is both timely and valuable. Its organization affords the reader the opportunity to read it cover-to-cover or to select topics of interest. . . . this book belongs in the library of all who work in pediatric oncology. Researchers and clinicians alike [will] benefit from the up-to-date reviews, critiques and suggestion for interventions provided by the pioneers in this emerging field." —Patricia L. Dobkin in Journal of Health Psychology

From the Publisher