Intensive Caring

I discerned a call to write on the myriad of challenging issues commonly faced around serious illness and the end of life and how to handle them as a Catholic. The result is: Intensive Caring: A Practical Handbook for Catholics About Serious Illness and End-of- Life Care, published by Ave Maria Press. It is based on my work as a palliative medicine physician and the many questions and concerns that I have been asked. It is available now and you can find more information here!

Topics in the book include:

how to navigate the healthcare system when dealing with a serious illness
palliative medicine and hospice care
Catholic Church teachings on the end-of-life
common difficult issues related to serious illness and the end-of-life
physician assisted suicide and euthanasia
how to advocate for loved ones and communicate with your health care team
advance care planning and advance directives
common ethical issues, questions, and concerns that Catholics frequently have
and much more!

The book is meant to serve as a guide for anyone facing challenging healthcare situations around serious illness and the end-of-life who wants to follow Catholic Church teachings. It has many examples of patient stories to help share information and draws from the wealth of rich Church documents and teachings.

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“Intensive Caring is an essential Catholic guide for serious illness and end-of-life care. Dr. Natalie King’s sincere compassion and respect for the human person make this weighty subject wonderfully approachable. Using practical clinical experience and extensive knowledge of the Catholic Church’s teachings, King delivers sound guidance for those making difficult medical decisions for themselves or a loved one.”

Michelle K. Stanford, MD
President of the Catholic Medical Association

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“Natalie King, MD draws wisdom from her palliative care experience and navigates the complex ethical and theological terrain surrounding suffering and the dying process with compassion and great skill. This practical guide is a must-read for Catholics facing serious illness and their caregivers, as well as an indispensible guide for clinicians, chaplains, and pastors.”

Michael Garrido, MAPS
Vice President Mission Integration
Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital

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“As a contemplative, a caregiver, and a cancer patient, I found Dr. Natalie King’s tremendous resource, Intensive Caring, to be the most helpful book I’ve read on end-of-life issues. Dr. King’s expertise in palliative care shines through compassionately in this comprehensive and clear guide to everything from medical procedures, choices, and how to make decisions, to the Church’s teachings on medical ethics and the dignity of the human person. A terrific companion for Catholics contemplating the challenges surrounding death and dying, this is also a beautiful manual for living life to its fullest with faith and trust in the goodness of God’s love for each of us.This will be my new go-to book for anyone facing a challenging diagnosis!

Lisa M. Hendey
author of The Grace of Yes

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“As a caregiver, I longed for the information that is contained in this book! Faithful people want to do what is right for the sick. But, what is right? And who do we call on to support us and ourloved ones when facing serious illness? I have heard Dr. Natalie King, MD speak about her work with great love and deep compassion. Her compassion spills out of this book, giving important guidance to and about the seriously ill.”

Rev. Richard Doerr
Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
Carmel, Indiana