Based on sound, proven strategies and peppered throughout with illustrative examples, Practical Plans for Difficult Conversations in Medicine provides the tools and knowledge necessary to start and sustain a genuine conversation at a moment when the first thought is "I have no idea what to say now."

In all branches of medicine, effective communication between health care professionals and patients, families and carers is essential to ensure first-class treatment. Increasing public awareness of health issues and the ready availability of health information have led the public to be more widely informed about common conditions and the treatments available. Patients therefore attend a medical consultation better informed so the need for improved communication skills is even greater. Skill is communication is a matter of personal ability which varies widely between individuals in the medical profession as in any other. In response, the aim of this book is to dispel the anxieties which contribute to poor communication. This book covers ethical and legal issues, planning difficult conversations, the patient's and doctor's perspectives, issues surrounding special groups such as children and the elderly, and coversations with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Outlines of possible clinical cases posing specific problems are included with guidance on how to handle them.

Medical interviews have changed a lot with time; in the last two decades, multiple mini interviews (MMIs) have revolutionized the assessment strategies for entrance to medical schools. MMIs usually consist of 6-10 stations of independent assessments done in a timed circuit so that the same examiner evaluates a specific skill for a station among the candidates. Many of these stations assess a candidate’s soft skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, team working, leadership and professional attitudes in addition to their knowledge, skills and motivation towards choosing medicine as a career. MMIs are not just a test of a candidate’s knowledge or skills, but their ability to use it appropriately at the right time. Aristotle said, ‘we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit’. Candidates wishing to succeed in medical MMI interviews need repetitive practice in the various stations. These stations usually include assessments on communication skills, medical ethics, recent medical facts, role play with an empathetic approach, data interpretation and calculations, scenario-based situations, personal character, motivation and judgment. This book will provide an excellent variety of opportunities to practice these stations and guide the candidate with a framework of answers. This book can be used for various medical university entrance exams, including those in the United Kingdom via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), the United States via the American Medical College Application Service (AMCA), Canada via the respective Medical School Applications Service, Australia via the specific state Tertiary Admissions Centre and many other countries via their specific admission pathways. Dr. Thanthullu Vasu has previously published four medical books alongside many chapters and articles in leading international journals. He has founded, organized and directed many teaching courses that have received excellent feedback. He regularly organizes national MMI courses for candidates applying to medical schools; these courses are in high demand and have consistently produced a successful outcome. Many of the contributors in the book are team members from the RISE Foundation Leicestershire, a charity based in Leicestershire (https://risefoundationuk.com/). All the contributors have extensive experience as examiners in many interviews and courses. The royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the RISE Foundation Leicestershire. Thank you for buying this book, as the money will go towards helping various causes supported by this charity. We wish you much success in your interviews and your future medical career.

Supportive Oncology, by Drs. Davis, Feyer, Ortner, and Zimmermann, is your practical guide to improving your patients‘ quality of life and overall outcomes by integrating palliative care principles into the scope of clinical oncologic practice at all points along their illness trajectories. A multidisciplinary editorial team, representing the dual perspectives of palliative medicine and oncology, offers expert guidance on how to effectively communicate diagnoses and prognoses with cancer patients and their families, set treatment goals, and manage symptoms through pharmacological therapies, as well as non-pharmacological therapies and counselling when appropriate. Integrate complementary palliative principles as early as possible after diagnosis with guidance from a multidisciplinary editorial team whose different perspectives and collaboration provide a well-balanced approach. Effectively communicate diagnoses and prognoses with cancer patients and their families, set treatment goals, and manage symptoms through pharmacological therapies, as well as non-pharmacological therapies and counseling when appropriate. Improve patients’ quality of life with the latest information on pain and symptom management including managing side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, rehabilitating and counselling long-term survivors, and managing tumor-related symptoms and other complications in the palliative care setting. Prescribe the most effective medications, manage toxicities, and deal with high symptom burdens.

- Thoroughly UPDATED chapters cover the most recent changes in the clinical management of melanoma, mast cell tumors, tumors of the skeletal system, tumors of the endocrine system, tumors of the mammary gland, urinary cancers, nervous system cancers, lymphoma, and histiocytic diseases. - NEW Clinical Trials and Developmental Therapeutics chapter discusses the various phases of clinical trials as well as current challenges and opportunities in oncology drug development. - NEW! A focus on the best recommended treatment options highlights therapeutic strategies that have been vetted by veterinary oncology experts. - NEW co-author Dr. Rodney L. Page adds his valuable perspective, expertise, and research experience.