Michael Feuerstein - Böcker

Although it has been assumed since early recorded history that psycho­ logical factors influence health and illness, it has only been within the past few years that a group of investigators and clinicians with a shared interest in the application of psychological principles and techniques to health and illness has existed. Over this same period of time, a number of multi-author books on the topic of health psychology and an associ­ ated field, behavioral medicine, have been published. Although these books are major resources for the investigator and the clinician in the field, it is often difficult for students, both undergraduate and graduate, to learn the basics of health psychology from such books. Thus, Health Psychology: A Psychobiological Perspective was written to provide such basics. The need for such a textbook in health psychology became appar­ ent to the first author when he was searching for reading material for an undergraduate course in health psychology at McGill University. This book grew out of the course in health psychology, and its structure represents the course content. The purpose of the book is to present the theoretical, empirical, and clinical aspects of the rapidly developing field of health psychology. Data from a number of subdisciplines within psychology and the behav­ ioral and health-related sciences are integrated throughout each chapter in an effort to provide a balanced perspective. Health Psychology explores the development of the field and its research methodologies, theoretical models, and intervention possibilities.

Cancer survivors are returning to the workplace in higher numbers than ever before. This is a positive outcome of the “war on cancer”, however, many of these cancer survivors face the possibility of illness- or treatment-related complications; employer discrimination or harassment; and other serious concerns. Cancer Survivorship and Work reviews many of the issues relevant to cancer survivors in the workplace from the survivors’, employers’, and global perspectives. This interdisciplinary and international volume brings together experts in fields as varied as epidemiology, economics, rehabilitation, psychology, human factors and ergonomics; law, and public policy to create a unique, up-to-date reference of what is currently known and what needs to be considered in the future. With this knowledge, challenges faced by this growing population can be better addressed by health care providers, employers, survivors and their families.

Health has been conceptualized by world and national health organizations (WHO, CDC, Healthy People 2010) as more than the absence of disease.  It involves a focus on physical, psychosocial, and functional aspects of life as well as the prevention of future illnesses. At this point in the development of quality health care for cancer survivors, there is sufficient knowledge and expert opinion to push efforts forward to improve the health of cancer survivors. Clearly there is more research in the most prevalent forms of cancers (e.g., breast cancer) than others that provide us with guidance on how to optimize their health, but there are data on other forms of cancers that can also better inform practice. There may also be general care practices that can cut across cancer types. There has been an emergence of epidemiological and clinical research in cancer survivors that can form the basis for a revolution in the quality and nature of health care that survivors receive. This book not only provides the reader with diverse perspectives and data but also integrates this information so it can serve as the foundation necessary to improve and maintain the health of cancer survivors.Reporting of symptoms to health care providers is a complex, multi-determined problem influenced not only by the pathophysiology but also, as we have learned over the years through pain research, by societal, cultural, and biobehavioral factors. This book will consider this important aspect of follow-up for millions of cancer survivors because of the strong reliance on symptom reporting for clinical decision making.   In order for us to generate meaningful and effective treatment, we need to better understand the symptom experience in cancer survivors. This book provides much information that will assist us to better understand and manage this complicated end point. The presenting problems need to be articulated and “conceptualized” as clearly as possible by both parties soappropriate actions can be taken. Since health care costs are a major concern for patients, payers, and providers, this area will also be addressed in all the relevant sections.In taking an interdisciplinary perspective, this book illustrates the importance of a team approach to the improvement of health care and associated health, well-being, and functioning in cancer survivors. The 17 chapters cover critical topics of which physicians and providers of all types must be aware in order to provide the most comprehensive and responsive care for cancer survivors. All of the clinical care chapters include case studies to illustrate the real-world application of these approaches in cancer survivors. Information about sources of referral both within and outside the traditional health care communities will be provided in tabular form. There is no other text that provides both an overview of the problems and their challenges, case illustrations of direct application, and the reality of reimbursement for such care. The editors hope that there may be no need for the clinician or the survivor to adapt to a “new normal” if the presenting problems are understood and handled from an interdisciplinary perspective as outlined here.

Cancer survivors are returning to the workplace in higher numbers than ever before. This is a positive outcome of the “war on cancer”, however, many of these cancer survivors face the possibility of illness- or treatment-related complications; employer discrimination or harassment; and other serious concerns. Cancer Survivorship and Work reviews many of the issues relevant to cancer survivors in the workplace from the survivors’, employers’, and global perspectives. This interdisciplinary and international volume brings together experts in fields as varied as epidemiology, economics, rehabilitation, psychology, human factors and ergonomics; law, and public policy to create a unique, up-to-date reference of what is currently known and what needs to be considered in the future. With this knowledge, challenges faced by this growing population can be better addressed by health care providers, employers, survivors and their families.

Although it has been assumed since early recorded history that psycho­ logical factors influence health and illness, it has only been within the past few years that a group of investigators and clinicians with a shared interest in the application of psychological principles and techniques to health and illness has existed. Over this same period of time, a number of multi-author books on the topic of health psychology and an associ­ ated field, behavioral medicine, have been published. Although these books are major resources for the investigator and the clinician in the field, it is often difficult for students, both undergraduate and graduate, to learn the basics of health psychology from such books. Thus, Health Psychology: A Psychobiological Perspective was written to provide such basics. The need for such a textbook in health psychology became appar­ ent to the first author when he was searching for reading material for an undergraduate course in health psychology at McGill University. This book grew out of the course in health psychology, and its structure represents the course content. The purpose of the book is to present the theoretical, empirical, and clinical aspects of the rapidly developing field of health psychology. Data from a number of subdisciplines within psychology and the behav­ ioral and health-related sciences are integrated throughout each chapter in an effort to provide a balanced perspective. Health Psychology explores the development of the field and its research methodologies, theoretical models, and intervention possibilities.

Health has been conceptualized by world and national health organizations (WHO, CDC, Healthy People 2010) as more than the absence of disease.  It involves a focus on physical, psychosocial, and functional aspects of life as well as the prevention of future illnesses. At this point in the development of quality health care for cancer survivors, there is sufficient knowledge and expert opinion to push efforts forward to improve the health of cancer survivors. Clearly there is more research in the most prevalent forms of cancers (e.g., breast cancer) than others that provide us with guidance on how to optimize their health, but there are data on other forms of cancers that can also better inform practice. There may also be general care practices that can cut across cancer types. There has been an emergence of epidemiological and clinical research in cancer survivors that can form the basis for a revolution in the quality and nature of health care that survivors receive. This book not only provides the reader with diverse perspectives and data but also integrates this information so it can serve as the foundation necessary to improve and maintain the health of cancer survivors.Reporting of symptoms to health care providers is a complex, multi-determined problem influenced not only by the pathophysiology but also, as we have learned over the years through pain research, by societal, cultural, and biobehavioral factors. This book will consider this important aspect of follow-up for millions of cancer survivors because of the strong reliance on symptom reporting for clinical decision making.   In order for us to generate meaningful and effective treatment, we need to better understand the symptom experience in cancer survivors. This book provides much information that will assist us to better understand and manage this complicated end point. The presenting problems need to be articulated and “conceptualized” as clearly as possible by both parties soappropriate actions can be taken. Since health care costs are a major concern for patients, payers, and providers, this area will also be addressed in all the relevant sections.In taking an interdisciplinary perspective, this book illustrates the importance of a team approach to the improvement of health care and associated health, well-being, and functioning in cancer survivors. The 17 chapters cover critical topics of which physicians and providers of all types must be aware in order to provide the most comprehensive and responsive care for cancer survivors. All of the clinical care chapters include case studies to illustrate the real-world application of these approaches in cancer survivors. Information about sources of referral both within and outside the traditional health care communities will be provided in tabular form. There is no other text that provides both an overview of the problems and their challenges, case illustrations of direct application, and the reality of reimbursement for such care. The editors hope that there may be no need for the clinician or the survivor to adapt to a “new normal” if the presenting problems are understood and handled from an interdisciplinary perspective as outlined here.

This timely revision of the authoritative handbook gives a wide range of providers practical insights and strategies for treating cancer survivors’ long-term physical and mental health issues. Details of new and emerging trends in research and practice enhance readers’ awareness of cancer survivor problems so they may better detect, monitor, intervene in, and if possible prevent disturbing conditions and potentially harmful outcomes. Of particular emphasis in this model of care are recognizing each patient’s uniqueness within the survivor population and being a co-pilot as survivors navigate their self-management. New or updated chapters cover major challenges to survivors’ quality of life and options for service delivery across key life domains, including:Adaptation and coping post-treatment.Problems of aging in survivorship, disparities and financial hardship.Well-being concerns including physical activity, weight loss, nutrition, and smoking cessation.Core functional areas such as work, sleep, relationships, and cognition.Large-scale symptoms including pain, distress, and fatigue.Models of care including primary care and comprehensive cancer center.International perspectivesPLUS, insights about lessons learned and challenges ahead.With survivorship and its care becoming an ever more important part of the clinical landscape, the Second Edition of the Handbook of Cancer Survivorship is an essential reference for oncologists, rehabilitation professionals, public health, health promotion and disease prevention specialists, and epidemiologists.