This succinct yet comprehensive book written by Margaret Reith and Malcolm Payne combines the authors’ more than 70 years of social work experience to provide a definitive introduction to social work practice in end-of-life and palliative care.

Reith and Payne trace the development of palliative care and the important role of social work within it. The book’s unique sociological focus on required practitioner knowledge of death, dying, and bereavement helps balance out the prevalent psychological focus of other books in the field. Chapters in the book focus on practice skills and interventions. Extensive use of case materials throughout the text help students and practitioners juggle the precarious balance of helping their clients keep hope for the future while understanding the truth that people are moving towards death. Unlike many books that focus on medical issues, this book addresses ethical issues faced by social workers and helps them guide their clients through this difficult journey.