Communication in Palliative Nursing

Elaine Wittenberg is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. She is co-founder of the COMFORT Communication project, a national health communication training program funded by the National Cancer Institute.Joy V. Goldsmith is a Professor at the University of Memphis in the Department of Communication and Film. She serves as Co-Director of the Center for Health Literacy and Health Communication at the University of Memphis. Sandra L. Ragan is Professor Emerita, Department. of Communication, University of Oklahoma, where she taught during the years 1983 - 2006 and also served as director of graduate studies and associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.Terri Ann Parnell is a nurse, a recognized health literacy expert, and an award-winning author. She is Principal and Founder of Health Literacy Partners LLC. She is a consultant and frequent speaker on the topics of health literacy, cultural competency, and patienteducation.

• 1. Introduction to Communication Approach2. C - Connect3. O - Options4. M - Making Meaning5. F - Family6. O - Openings7. R - Relating8. T - TeamAppendix:Recommended Outcome Measure: Comfort with Communication in Palliative and End of Life Care (C-COPE) ©Recommended COMFORT Communication Competencies By ChapterRecommended Comprehensive Teaching Resources

This book is written by four experts in communication (although it is noted that Parnell is also a nurse). It is written about and for the palliative care scene in the USA, but I think the principles discussed make it relevant elsewhere. If you work in palliative care and wonder whether your communication skills could be improved, or if you teach about communication in palliative care, then this book has a lot to offer.