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Quick Reference for Oncology Clinicians: The Psychiatric and Psychological Dimensions of Cancer Symptom Management

Thomas N. Wise, M.D.

This easy-to-use, concise manual is essential for all health professionals treating patients with cancer. Published by the International Psycho-Oncology Society, its purpose is "to improve the recognition and optimum management of distress in patients with cancer" for first-line physicians and nurses working in oncology settings. It clearly achieves this goal! Initial chapters address screening and recognition of emotional and cognitive difficulties within oncology populations. A graphic "distress thermometer" is included, as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The Zung Depression Scale, as well as the Mini-Mental State Exam are also reprinted in their entirety, as is the Clock-Drawing Test. The next chapters focus on psychiatric emergencies, such as the agitated or confused patient, as well as the patient with significant suicidal complaints. A concise-but-comprehensive review of psychotropic agents will allow more rational psychopharmacology. Non-pharmacologic interventions are also well covered. For stress-reduction, easy breathing exercises and simple problem-solving approaches can be readily used by nonpsychiatric physicians and nurses. The manual then addresses, in a more detailed review, topics such as depression and anxiety, as well as symptoms such as pain and fatigue that challenge the cancer patient. Chemotherapy-induced nausea is discussed, along with its appropriate pharmacologic interventions. A very important discussion of strategies for giving bad news should be read by all health professionals, including all psychiatrists. A review of specific issues, depending upon the cancer site, such as CNS tumors, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal malignancies, offer specific interventions. The manual can fit into a pocket, and it provides tables for rapid data retrieval.

Although the book has been developed for oncology clinicians, it is also a superb resource for consultation–liaison psychiatrists. It is a must for any psychiatrist working in an oncology setting to own and recommend to nonpsychiatric colleagues. My only fear is that the book, published by the specialty press, American and International Psychosocial Oncology Societies itself, may not be widely distributed into medical bookstores. I hope I am wrong. It can be ordered directly from the American Psychosocial Oncology Society’s website, at http://www.apos-society.org. It is well worth the visit to this website and well worth purchasing this very modestly-priced book.

FOOTNOTES

 
Dr. Wise is Editor-in-Chief of Psychosomatics.

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