ABSTRACT
We have relied heavily on a social constructionist, narrative approach to palliative care communication throughout this book, primarily because we believe that patients, whose voices must be privileged above all others, are “active interpreters, managers, and creators of the meaning of their health and illness” (Vanderford et al., 1997, p. 14). Yet, we also have found the voices of all those involved in the offering and implementation of palliative care-physicians, family members, and the interdisciplinary palliative care team-to be paramount to an understanding of the complexities and challenges of palliative care communication. us, we have structured this volume in an attempt to represent the multitude of perspectives inherent to the delivery of palliative care.
