Books by Irene S. Switankowsky

A Patient-Centered Approach to the Chronically-Ill addresses the unique needs of chronically-ill patients and the challenges they present for medical doctors. This book features four principles of the patient-centered approach that can be used by physicians in treating chronically-ill patients.

Switankowsky argues that there are five conditions for physicians to bring about patient-centered medicine: effective disclosure of treatments, successful decision-making, effective communication, physician-patient relationships, and advance directives. Through these conditions, physicians could ensure that terminally ill patients die with some degree of dignity and are given essential, humane care.