In emergency and intensive care situations - and in the wider context of acute physical illness and surgery - the beliefs, emotions and behaviour of individuals, both lay people and health professionals, can have a profound effect on the processes of understanding, communication and coping throughout the course of diagnosis and treatment. There is a substantial body of psychological knowledge based on research and clinical experience which supports and guides best practice in this area. Clinical psychologists and counsellors increasingly work with doctors, nurses and medical therapists to...