Research Handbook on End of Life Care and Society

This comprehensive Research Handbook provides an accessible overview of research on palliative and end of life care in its social context. It examines key theories, methods and research findings, presenting crucial social science and public health perspectives. Leading and emerging international scholars discuss a range of issues including population ageing, growing pressures on health and social care systems, assisted dying and new cultural responses to human mortality and bereavement. They delve into detailed case studies, such as the genealogies of culturally specific nursing, home care in Europe, patient and public involvement in the UK, end of life care pathways in Japan and palliative care in resource-poor settings within African countries. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the Research Handbook also addresses models of end of life care in relation to wider society, and outlines future research priorities. This insightful Research Handbook will greatly benefit students and scholars of sociology, anthropology and social policy, particularly those who are studying public health, the welfare state and social work. It is also a vital resource for practitioners and policymakers in palliative and end of life care.