Intensive Caring: A Practical Handbook for Catholics about Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care is an invaluable guide for navigating the most difficult medical and moral decisions of life with clarity, compassion, and faith.
Dr. Natalie King, a palliative care physician, combines medical expertise with deep Catholic conviction to help patients and families face serious illness and end-of-life care without fear or confusion. Drawing on real patient stories, she offers practical tools for understanding complex medical choices and aligning them with the dignity of every human person and the teachings of the Church.
Through straightforward explanations, King answers the most pressing questions Catholics face during times of crisis, including:
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What is palliative care, and how is it different from hospice?
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What should I ask my doctor when diagnosed with a serious illness?
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How do I communicate my healthcare preferences with my loved ones?
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What are advance directives, and what should they include for Catholics?
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How should I think about “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders?
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What does the Church teach about artificial nutrition and hydration?
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How can I protect the dignity of my loved one as death approaches?
Alongside these clear explanations, King offers practical advice on how to advocate for your values in medical settings, guidance for caregivers and pastoral workers, and spiritual reflections and prayers for the sick, their families, and parish communities.
More than a handbook, Intensive Caring is a call to preparation. King encourages readers to discuss healthcare decisions before illness strikes—helping loved ones make choices rooted in peace, not panic. This resource is equally valuable for clergy, medical professionals, and parish leaders seeking to provide faithful and compassionate guidance.
About the Author
Natalie King, MD, is a palliative medicine physician who cares for patients with serious illness and those nearing the end of life. She writes and speaks nationally on the dignity of human life, the ethics of medical decision-making, and the importance of palliative care within Catholic healthcare.
King earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and pre-professional studies from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree in bioethics from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and a doctor of medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine. She previously led the ethics committee at a Colorado hospital and collaborated with the USCCB and Catholic Medical Association to improve Catholic education on end-of-life issues.
She lives in Utah with her family.
