Psychosocial Aspects of Cystic Fibrosis

The treatment and care of those with cystic fibrosis has developed rapidly over the last decade, with a resulting increase in the number of individuals living well into adolescence and early adulthood.This book deals with the profound psychological impact of these changes on sufferers, their friends and families, and those involved in patient care. It also considers new approaches to problems that continue to be of concern to clinicians and other health professionals working in the field, including adherence to therapy, communication within families, staff burnout, education and counselling.The six sections include an introduction to the aetiology, pathology, course and treatment of cystic fibrosis, a series of personal perspectives, developmental considerations, the illness network, therapeutic approaches, and major contemporary issues such as transplantation, genetic screening and new therapies. Where relevant, chapters include an update of current knowledge, discussions of the clinical implications of current an future research, and guidelines for clinical practice.