BPS Core Textbooks Series
Developed in collaboration with the British Psychological Society
Palliative care
A holistic type of care than includes physical, emotion, social and spiritual needs, that can be introduced at any stage of progressive or serious life limiting disease.
Progressive disease
A disease that gets worse over time, leading to increased symptoms burden and eventual loss of life.
Patient centred approach
An approach to care that responds to individual patient needs, preferences and values.
Hospice care
A type of care that may be provided alongside palliative care for symptom control. It can also refer to a place where end of life care is provided.
Multidisciplinary team
A group of healthcare professional from different disciplines (e.g. doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, etc). who work together to provide the best care for a patient.
End of life care
Medical care and support that helps with symptom management, comfort and dignity when a person is dying.
Advanced care planning
A way in which an individual can make decisions about future healthcare in case they are unable to communicate their wishes. It may include types of treatment and where they would like to receive that care
Advanced decision to refuse treatment (advanced care directive)
A written, witnessed, legal document that details the specific treatments that an individual does not want to receive should they become unable to communicate.
Capacity
The ability of an individual to understand and retain information in order that they can make informed decisions about their healthcare and communicate these decisions.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
An emergency technique that involves chest compression to pump blood to the brain and often combined with rescue breaths to provide oxygen for someone who has stopped breathing.
Artificial ventilation
A machine such as a ventilated that assist or completely takes over an individual’s breathing.
Tube feeding
Delivery of nutrition through a tube into the stomach or intestines, usually used when a person cannot eat.
Finishing up
A term used by some Indigenous People to describe death and traditional ceremonial practices that take pace after death that honours the person and their transition into the spirit world.