Psychosocial Approach to Terminal Ill Diagnosis

Psychological distress is often an under-diagnosed problem in cancer care. Addressing psychosocial issues would enhance treatment compliance, physician-patient relationship, efficacy, and quality of life. The book emphasizes the importance of integrating psycho-oncology assessment in cancer care and defines the various roles a psycho-oncologist can play across the entire trajectory. The book provides experiences from an Indian perspective, considering the unique sociocultural, economic, and traditional society and practices. Research in psycho-oncology essentially contributes to our understanding of body-mind interaction and has been challenging a mechanical view of cancer disease. The psycho-oncological therapeutic approach has become a crucial tool in the care of cancer patients, improving not only physical and psychiatric symptoms, but also quality of life. The standard management of psychiatric diseases is not sufficient for this special field, and psychotherapy must be adapted to life-threatening conditions, as well as arising existential questions and spiritual needs.