This handbook focuses primarily on the skills and strategies needed for effective communications between health professionals and patients trying to adapt to a fear-provoking diagnosis and an uncertain future. The practical guidelines have been tested over the years in clinical practice.

1: Psychological distress: its recognition and mangement 2: `Distancing' by health professionals 3: Patient assessment: structure and content 4: Patient assessment: skills 5: Breaking the news to patients 6: Monitoring progress 7: Recognizing and handling difficult situations 8: Handling conflict in cancer care 9: Talking to relatives 10: Spiritual issues 11: Assessing the bereaved 12: The psychological costs of caring for cancer patients 13: Training in communication skills 14: Training resources available

`This book is not expensive and is very easy to read. It does not claim to give all the answers, but it certainly would help anyone dealing with patients to think about where they fail to communicate. It would be a suitable gift for a team member who needs to develop a little insight.' Ilora Finlay, University of Wales College of Medicine, The Lancet, Vol. 345, April 1995 `a practical and thought provoking little book ... would be ideally used in a group tutorial in which the topics could be discussed in more depth' Frances Calman, British Medical Journal, Volume 310, May 1995 `Professor Faulkner and Dr Maguire have developed multidisciplinary workshops for teaching communication skills. Their considerable experience and expertise gained from these workshops are condensed in this short guide. Clear guidelines are offered to help professionals in a variety of clinical situations ... a helpful resource to medical and nursing teachers ... I would recommend this book to any doctor or nurse who is thinking of working with, and caring about, patients with cancer.' David Jeffrey, Course Organiser, Worcester Vocational Training Scheme for General Practice `this book is different and well worth reading ... This book will be of value to all those involved in the care of patients with cancer and other life-threatening disease. In addition, it should be read by those planning the curriculum for postgraduate courses in most specialties.' Paul Millard, European Journal of Palliative Care, Volume 2, Number 2 `Professor Faulkner and Dr Maguire have developed multidisciplinary workshops for teaching communications skills. Their considerable experience and expertise gained from these workshops are condensed in this short guide. For those who have attended a Faulkner and Maguire workshop, this book will be a useful refresher. It will also be a helpful resource to medical and nursing teachers. I would recommend this book to any doctor or nurse who is thinking of working with, and caring about, patients with cancer.' David Jeffrey, Worcester Vocational Training Scheme for General Practice. `well worth reading ... This book will be of value to all those involved in the care of patients with cancer and other life-threatening disease. In addition, it should be read by those planning the curriculum for postgraduate courses in most specialties.' Paul Millard, European Journal of Palliative Care, Volume 2, Number 2