Abstract

This rich collection of accounts explores the personal and professional experiences of palliative care workers. Contributors from a variety of disciplines associated with care at the end of life - among them social workers, a nurse, a doctor, a counselling psychologist, an academic researcher, a psychotherapist and a creative writing therapist - explain how and why they came to work in palliative care, what they bring to the work and the ways in which it has enriched their own lives.

Including descriptive examples of their work with clients and families, they discuss the spiritual needs of patients, how to manage personal boundaries and power relations, the use of narrative and story telling in care work and the impact of working with people who are very ill and grieving on every day life.

This thoughtful and positive book presents a variety of experience-based perspectives on working in palliative care. Emphasising the use of self and the importance of reflective practice in professional work, this book will be of relevance to all professionals in medical and social care who want to gain a deeper understanding of their work and of the motivation underlying it.

`The combined practice area of the contributors to this book include social work, psychotherapy, sociology, counselling psychology, creative writing, nursing, and medicine. Several of the authors have multiple professions, and have come to palliative care later in their careers. Indeed, the combined skill of this group is impressive. Each chapter is unique and each story worthy in its own right. The commonalities are remarkable also. I recommend it to all palliative care professionals, when feeling a little-jaded about what we are doing and being swept along with the winds of changing technology and evidenced based practice, and to other health-care workers who feel an inclination to bring a little humanity to their care'.
Omega Vol 51 (1) 77-86, 2005
`In a way it is surprising that palliative care has not produced more books like this: collections in which those engaged in the daily work of caring for dying and bereaved people share something of their motivations for entering this particular world, their experiences along the way, and their reasons for staying in or quitting it…Christina Mason was right to embark on this project. She has edited a book that deserves to be widely read.'
Palliative Medicine 2003
`This is a delightful book. Although its focus is on professionals working in specialist palliative care, it would be useful for any practitioner wanting to learn more about reflective practice or their motivations for caring.'
Journal of Community Nursing
`This book offers unique way of looking at caring for palliative parents by using the influence of the self. It also offers an opportunity for reflection how our experiences can enrich the experience of patient's faced with the prospect of dying. Professionals who enjoy reading stories will thoroughly enjoy this book.'
International Journal of Palliative Nursing