The Handbook of Health Social Work provides a comprehensive and evidence-based overview of contemporary social work practice in health care. Written from a wellness perspective, the chapters cover the spectrum of health social work settings with contributions from a wide range of experts. The resulting resource offers both a foundation for social work practice in health care and a guide for strategy, policy, and program development in proactive and actionable terms. Three sections present the material: The Foundations of Social Work in Health Care provides information that is basic and central to the operations of social workers in health care, including conceptual underpinnings; the development of the profession; the wide array of roles performed by social workers in health care settings; ethical issues and decision - making in a variety of arenas; public health and social work; health policy and social work; and the understanding of community factors in health social work. Health Social Work Practice: A Spectrum of Critical Considerations delves into critical practice issues such as theories of health behavior; assessment; effective communication with both clients and other members of health care teams; intersections between health and mental health; the effects of religion and spirituality on health care; family and health; sexuality in health care; and substance abuse. Health Social Work: Selected Areas of Practice presents a range of examples of social work practice, including settings that involve older adults; nephrology; oncology; chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS; genetics; end of life care; pain management and palliative care; and alternative treatments and traditional healers. The first book of its kind to unite the entire body of health social work knowledge, the Handbook of Health Social Work is a must-read for social work educators, administrators, students, and practitioners.

Since 1972, many victims of endstage renal disease (ESRD) have received treatment under a unique Medicare entitlement. This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the federal ESRD program: who uses it, how well it functions, and what improvements are needed. The book includes recommendations on patient eligibility, reimbursement, quality assessment, medical ethics, and research needs. Kidney Failure and the Federal Government offers a wealth of information on these and other topics: The ESRD patient population. Dialysis and transplantation providers. Issues of patient access and availability of treatment. Ethical issues related to treatment initiation and termination. Payment policies and their relationship to quality of care. This book will have a major impact on the future of the ESRD program and will be of interest to health policymakers, nephrologists and other individual providers, treatment site administrators, and researchers.

Palliative care has become increasingly important across the spectrum of healthcare, and with it, the need for education and training of a broad range of medical practitioners not previously associated with this field of care. As part of the Integrating Palliative Care series, this volume on palliative care in nephrology guides readers through the core palliative knowledge and skills needed to deliver high value, high quality care for seriously ill patients with chronic and end-stage kidney disease. Chapters are written by a team of international leaders in kidney palliative care and are organized into sections exploring unmet supportive care needs, palliative care capacity, patient-centered care, enhanced support at the end of life, and more. Chapter topics are based on the Coalition for Supportive Care of Kidney Patients Pathways Project change package of 14 evidence-based best practices to improve the delivery of palliative care to patients with kidney disease. An overview of the future of palliative care nephrology with attention to needed policy changes rounds out the text. Palliative Care in Nephrology is an ideal resource for nephrologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, primary care clinicians, and other practitioners who wish to learn more about integrating individualized, patient-centered palliative care into treatment of their patients with kidney disease.

Praise for HANDBOOK of HEALTH SOCIAL WORK SECOND EDITION "Handbook of Health Social Work, Second Edition is a crucial addition for seasoned practitioners' libraries, as well as an essential foundation for fledgling social workers ready to enter health as a practice and research area." –From the Foreword by Suzanne Heurtin-Roberts, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "The book's strengths include the high quality of writing and the expertise of its contributors. It covers the field of health social work in significant depth and is sure to leave readers well informed." –Mary Sormanti, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia University School of Social Work "Quite simply, this is the definitive volume for health and social work. In this second edition, Gehlert and Browne and their expert contributors have confidently managed to keep pace with current theory and empirical research across a wide range of subject matter that will be of interest to practitioners, educators, and researchers." –Michael Vaughn, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, School of Public Health, and Department of Public Policy Studies, Saint Louis University Thoroughly revised and updated, the only comprehensive handbook of its kind covering the diverse field of health social work Now in its Second Edition, Handbook of Health Social Work provides a comprehensive and evidence-based overview of contemporary social work practice in health care. Written from a wellness perspective, the chapters cover practice and research areas ranging from chronic disorders to infectious disease, from physical to mental disorders, and all areas in between. An excellent resource preparing social workers for the present and future challenges of practice in the field of health care, the Handbook of Health Social Work, Second Edition features discussion on: New trends in social work and health care, including genetics, transdisciplinary care, as well as national and state changes in policy Health social work and children The wide array of roles performed by social workers in health-care settings Ethical issues and decision making in a variety of arenas Understanding of community factors in health social work Edited by two respected leaders in the field of health social work, this second edition includes contributions from a diverse team of notable experts, researchers, and scholars addressing multiple theoretical foundations, models, issues, and dilemmas for the social worker in health care. The resulting resource offers both a foundation for social work practice in health care and a guide for strategy, policy, and program development in proactive and actionable terms.

Chronic Kidney Disease in Disadvantaged Populations investigates the increased incidence and prevalence of kidney disease in vulnerable populations world-wide. The volume explores the complex interactions of genetic, biologic, cultural and socioeconomic factors such as the environment, and specific health behaviors that seem to be responsible for a significant proportion of the health disparities in these communities. Each chapter is written by leading experts in the field and analyzes the prevalence and incidence of pre-dialysis kidney disease in disadvantaged populations across both developed and developing countries. In addition, each contribution analyzes differentiated risk factors and compares the disparities in access to screening, prevention strategies, treatment protocols and renal replacement therapies. Chronic Kidney Disease in Disadvantaged Populations is essential reading for residents, fellows, clinicians and biomedical researchers working in nephrology, internal medicine, and epidemiology, especially those working in areas with high concentrations of disadvantaged populations. - Presents a comprehensive account of both traditional and non-traditional risk factors for kidney disease - Explores the mechanisms by which poverty increases the burden of kidney disease in these populations, barriers to access to renal health care, including renal replacement therapies, organ donation, and organ commercialization - Offers the latest perspectives on outcomes in renal replacement therapies as well as prevention strategies

Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Kidney Disease: Exploring the Impact of CKD, Dialysis, and Transplantation on Patients provides an overview of the emotional and psychological challenges faced by people with renal disease. This book outlines the epidemiology and treatment of the psychosocial factors affecting them. The sections in the book cover psychiatric illness in the earlier and middle stages of chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis, and renal transplantation. The book concludes with a section on special considerations, delving into topics such as treating children and adolescents, quality of life, caregiver burden, challenges in psychosocial research in kidney disease, and future directions for intervention. - Includes chapters that are written by a leading group of international researchers - Emphasizes practical approaches to patient care and treatment issues - Explores psychosocial issues related to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis - Discusses available treatment for anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, pain, nonadherence, cognitive dysfunction, palliative care, and other psychosocial concerns