Despite medical technological advances, the major killers with which we must currently contend have remained essentially the same for the past few decades. Stroke, cancer, and heart disease together account for the vast majority of deaths in the United States. In addition, due to improved medical care, many Americans who would previously have died now survive these disorders, necessitating that they receive appropriate rehabilitation efforts. One result of our own medical advances is that we must now accept the high costs associated with providing quality care to individuals who develop one of these problems, and we must avail ourselves to assist of afflicted individuals. families Despite the relative stability of causes of death and disability, the health-care field is currently experiencing tremendous pressures, both from professionals with in the field, who desire more and better technology than is currently available, and from the public and other payers of health care (e.g., insurance companies), who seek an end to increasing health-care costs. These pressures, along with an increased emphasis on providing evidence of cost-effectiveness and quality assurance, are substantially changing the way that health-care professionals perform their jobs.

Klappentext
This timely handbook disseminates current, practical information relevant to the changes in health care practice and addresses logistical issues vital to the future of the industry. Chapters provide up-to-date information that will aid practitioners and researchers in both clinical treatments and research initiatives. Renowned experts offer insights into critical topics such as: how to better market health care services; how to utilize technological advances to enhance the efficiency of clinical practice; current issues such as HIV, aging, computers, marketing, and managed mental health; and assessment of specific disorders. Innovative ways for clinicians to improve their practices are included.

Zusammenfassung
Disseminates practical information relevant to the changes in health care practice and addresses logistical issues vital to the future of the industry. This work offers insights into topics such as how to better market health care services, and how to utilize technological advances to enhance the efficiency of clinical practice.

Inhalt

1. Recent Developments in the Psychological Assessment and Management of Recurrent Headache Disorders.- 2. Recent Trends in Asthma Research.- 3. Temporomandibular Disorders.- 4. Gastrointestinal Disorders.- 5. Insomnia.- 6. Raynaud's Disease and Phenomenon.- 7. Smoking and Smoking Cessation: Current Conceptualizations and Directions for Future Research.- 8. Obesity: A Health Psychology Perspective.- 9. Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa.- 10. Assessment and Modification of Coronary-Prone Behavior: A Transactional View of the Person in Social Context.- 11. Hypertension.- 12. Cardiovascular Disorders.- 13. Exercise and Physical Activity.- 14. Stress and Stress Management.- 15. Preparation for Surgery.- 16. Relapse Prevention.- 17. Toward an Integrative Diathesis-Stress Model of Chronic Pain.- 18. Spinal Cord Injury.- 19. Assessment and Conservative Treatment of Occupational Musculoskeletal Disability.- 20. Assessment and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.- 21. Traumatic Brain Injury.- 22. Cancer Rehabilitation: Concepts and Interventions.- 23. Recent Advances in Psychosocial and Behavioral Oncology.- 24. Psychological Aspects of Chronic-Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.- 25. Diabetes Mellitus: Considerations of the Influence of Stress.- 26. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.- 27. Theoretical Models Applied to AIDS Prevention.- 28. Aging: Issues in Health and Neuropsychological Functioning.- 29. Computer Applications in Behavioral Medicine.- 30. The Marketing of Professional Health-Care Services.- 31. The Future of Psychology in Health Care.