Includes bibliographical references and index

Contents: Basic awareness of self -- Family history -- Values as determinants of behavior -- Identifying and resolving moral dilemmas -- Stress management -- The nature of effective helping: empathy and sympathy versus pity -- Effective communication: problem identification and helpful responses -- Assertiveness skills and conflict resolution -- Communicating to establish rapport and reduce negativity -- Communicating with cultural sensitivity -- The helping interview -- Spirituality in patient care -- Health behavior and effective patient education -- Communicating with persons who have disabilities -- Sexuality and disability: effective communication -- Communicating with people who are dying and their families.