Occupational Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care

Now in its second edition, this is the only book on occupational therapy in oncology and palliative care. It has been thoroughly updated, contains new chapters, and like the first edition will appeal to a range of allied health professionals working with patients with a life-threatening illness.

The book explores the nature of cancer and challenges faced by occupational therapists in oncology and palliative care. It discusses the range of occupational therapy intervention in symptom control, anxiety management and relaxation, and the management of breathlessness and fatigue.

The book is produced in an evidence-based, practical, workbook format with case studies. New chapters on creativity as a psychodynamic approach; outcome measures in occupational therapy in oncology and palliative care; HIV-related cancers and palliative care.

List of Contributors ix

Foreword xi
Derek Doyle, MD, OBE

Preface xiii

Acknowledgements xiv

Introduction xvii

1 What is Cancer? 1
Jill Cooper

2 Challenges Faced by Occupational Therapists in Oncology and Palliative Care 11
Jill Cooper

3 Occupational Therapy Approach in Symptom Control 27
Jill Cooper

4 Occupational Therapy in Anxiety Management and Relaxation 41
Jill Cooper

5 Occupational Therapy in the Management of Breathlessness 51
Jill Cooper

6 Occupational Therapy and Cancer-Related Fatigue 61
Daniel Lowrie

7 Client-centred Approach of Occupational Therapy Programme – Case Study 83
Gemma Lindsell

8 Occupational Therapy in Paediatric Oncology and Palliative Care 107
Claire Tester

9 Occupational Therapy in HIV-related Cancers and Palliative Care 125
Will Chegwidden and Camilla Hawkins

10 Occupational Therapy in Neuro-oncology 145
Helen Barrett and Julie Watterson

11 Occupational Therapy in Hospices and Day Care 161
Anne Bostock, Shelley Ellis, Sara Mathewson and Lilias Methven

12 The Use of Creativity as a Psychodynamic Activity 175
Kathryn Boog

13 Measuring Occupational Therapy Outcomes in Cancer and Palliative Care 189
Gail Eva

Appendices 201

Glossary 239

Glossary-Abbreviations 247

Index 249

"I would recommend this practical text to both students and professionals in the field." (British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2007) Jill Cooper has been head occupational therapist for 13 years at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the largest cancer centre in Europe and world-renowned for its research and treatment of cancer. She has published articles with colleagues on different aspects of clinical areas within oncology and palliative care including radiation-induced brachial plexopathy, outcome measures and specifics of working practice in palliative care. She works alongside other medical, nursing and allied healthcare professionals to ensure patients in oncology and palliative care receive the highest standard of care available. This new edition of Occupational Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care is fully updated and contains brand new chapters on creativity as a psychodynamic approach, outcome measures in oncology and palliative Care, HIV-related cancers and palliative care.

The book explores what cancer is and the challenges faced by Occupational Therapists in oncology and palliative care. This new edition discusses the range of Occupational Therapy interventions in symptom control, anxiety management and relaxation, the management of breathlessness and fatigue and the variety of work in paediatric oncology and palliative care. It focuses on the client-centred approach of the Occupational Therapy Programme in the form of a Case Study

Occupational Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care Second Edition is a practical text and can be used in a workbook situation as well as being evidence-based to support the professional and high standard of care, which Occupational Therapy supplies to patients in the oncology and palliative care setting.