The second edition of this popular book continues to offer a panoramic view of palliative care. The new edition introduces a number of new topics, new authors, and a thorough update on continuing chapters. It includes material on non-malignant disease which is an integral part of palliative care. The text distinguishes between evidence-based practice and common practice which has yet to be verified by research studies. Each chapter includes a brief section at the end containing a commentary on future trends and promising areas of research.