Palliative Care in Non-Cancer Patients

According the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, Stephen Connor and Xavier Goméz-Batiste, the heart failure, the chronic lung disease (namely the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and the end-stage renal disease are, respectively, the first, third and sixth disease which the people with palliative care need are more prevalent.

This, second of two books dedicated to palliative care for non-cancer patients aims to help health professionals, students and society in general, to find strategies to provide the best possible care to patients and their families.

Namely, in this book, we approach the intervention to improve the quality of life of the patients who live with chronic heart, lung or kidney disease.

The authors are professionals and researchers of recognized international merit, who have collaborated with the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in the training in palliative care of its students.

Manuel Luís Capelas, PhD Assistant Professor at the Institute of Health Sciences of UCP and Codirector of the Portuguese Observatory for Palliative Care Palliative

This work is a relevant and timely contribution in strengthening knowledge about Palliative Care in groups of patients traditionally excluded from our services, such as those with organ failure. It is important, on this occasion, to leave a word of deep thanks and appreciation to the experts involved in the preparation of this book.

Duarte Soares President of the Portuguese Association for Palliative Care