Talking To The Sick

Talking To The Sick presents practicing physicians and physicians in training with an approach to achieving effective communication with sick people, especially those with serious illness. Topics ranging from the initial patient interview to issues related to death and dying are covered. Special subjects such as experimental therapy, privacy, family involvement and functional illness are explored. Talking To The Sick covers verbal communication in office and hospital settings as well as written and telephonic communication. The emphasis is on practical strategies for dealing with common clinical situations in contemporary American medical practice. The approach is based on thirty years experience as an internist and medical oncologist in both academic and community practice.