Communication in Healthcare: Charting the Course to Better Outcomes With Trust, Respect, and Teamwork

by Anne Marie Morse

Have you ever had a conversation in a healthcare setting and come away from it thinking… Say, WHAT?! In Communication in Charting the Course to Better Outcomes with Trust, Respect, and Teamwork, Dr. Anne-Marie Morse seeks to eliminate those “say, what?!” moments and improve clarity in communication between healthcare partners and patients.

Using a simple metaphor of a vehicle on a road for the wellness journey, Dr. Morse explains how to put the patient at the wheel, with the healthcare partner as the car’s Guiding Partner Specialist. Rather than patient-centered care, she advocates for patient-directed care, informed by mutual respect, accountability, and awareness of all parties involved in the wellness journey.

Each chapter addresses a different stage in the wellness journey, from preparing for a first appointment to handling the outcomes of test results. Throughout, Dr. Morse provides a diversity of case studies, told through fictional narrative anecdotes, that cover a wide range of patient populations, illnesses, and contexts. Through this lens, practitioners and patients of all kinds may be able to identify themselves—and, in finding moments of resonance, identify areas in which they can finetune their own healthcare communication.

The chapters are supplemented with practical resources, from communication checklists to emotional intelligence self-assessments. Tools are provided for both patients and healthcare partners, emphasizing the fact that good communication requires the active participation of all parties. Dr. Morse also addresses common hurdles that are bigger than any individual, articulating factors that can influence healthcare communication, from the media formats used to individual cultural, religious, and socio-economic situations.

Ultimately, Dr. Morse lays the groundwork for a brighter future for patients and healthcare partners, in which technology can supplement communication while never replacing the humanity that underscores communication best practices.

Genres: Nonfiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful tool
If you’re interested in healthcare or you work in healthcare, I believe that you should read “Communication in Healthcare”. Anne Marie Rose has penned a practical and helpful book with her experiences and knowledge about patients, how to treat them and communicate with them while they’re in any treatment. Her lemma has to do with patient-directed care, she's interested in patients’ wellness and in fluid communication. In every chapter, she shares anecdotes and case studies to show the way she works and the way patients respond to treatments. I believe that it’s really useful for practitioners to learn how to cope with patients and their conditions.
The content of the book is very interesting because it encapsulates different aspects regarding healthcare. There is theory that backs up everything and also practical examples that help readers understand the process. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Anne-Marie Morse delivers a compelling and refreshingly human-centered approach to healthcare communication. Communication in Healthcare is a guide and a mindset shift. Readers will appreciate how she reframes the doctor-patient relationship with the clever “GPS” metaphor, emphasizing collaboration and mutual respect. The fictional case studies make complex topics relatable, while practical tools like checklists and self-assessments give readers actionable takeaways. Whether you're a patient navigating care or a practitioner striving for better outcomes, this book resonates deeply. It acknowledges the emotional, cultural, and systemic layers of communication, while still offering hope and clarity. It's practical, insightful, and, at times, even a bit heartwarming.
In a world of rushed consultations and digital overload, Communication in Healthcare reminds us that empathy, understanding, and listening still matter most. A thoughtful and timely read for anyone involved in care.

[It's.about.the.books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Working in healthcare for over 20 years, I was really looking forward to reading Communication in Healthcare by Anne Marie Morse. I am always keen to learn new things and was hoping this book would add to my current knowledge. Alas, I am sorry to say I did not gain anything from reading this book. In fact, I would go so far as to say, Communication in Healthcare was a disappointment. Ann Marie Morse lost all credibility for me when she referred to herself as the "Dr on TikTok". From there, it was all downhill. This book was incredibly basic at best, and a self-congratulatory project at worst. It may appeal to students within healthcare or patients. But, I do not feel it contributed to the current communication research.

Thank you @forbesbooks and @netgalley for an eARC of Communication in Healthcare by Anne Marie Morse. Opinions are my own.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaking to heal better

This book made me think about how important the way we communicate with healthcare professionals really is. Many times, people feel lost, not knowing what questions to ask or how to explain what they are feeling. What I liked most is that the book shows that communication is not just about receiving instructions, but about being an active participant in the whole process. The idea that the patient is the one driving their own path and the doctor is a guide who supports them seemed very accurate to me. It is written in clear language with easy-to-understand examples. This book helped me feel more confident to express myself, ask questions, and also listen better. I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve how they communicate within the healthcare system.

[Lina Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helping to create a better healthcare system

Communication in Healthcare is a book that invites readers to think and reflect on the healthcare system and on the relationship between patients, doctors, or any person who, in one way or another, is involved in the provision of healthcare services. The outcome of this relationship is definitely shared, and everyone involved carries a significant degree of responsibility.
Through practical case studies, Morse, the author of the book, illustrates the reality of the patient–healthcare system relationship, encouraging readers to reflect on it and decide what attitude they want to adopt to improve it, rather than being merely passive agents.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well put together book. It was highly informative but very easy to understand. It is very important to understand the role of communication in healthcare and the author explained it very well. The topic about EQ was interesting because not because you have a high IQ means you have high EQ too. Showing the importance of having self awareness and the other foundational elements of EQ was great. It does not only work with the healthcare system but also any service-related field. I did a self assessment for EQ and it was a good number, it makes me proud. If you want to measure yours there's a link in the book, well a QR code. The way that the author added resources at the end of the book was so helpful too. 

[Ruba Abu Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Communication in Healthcare’ by Anne Marie Morse is useful for patients and healthcare students.

I was particularly intrigued by the narrative case studies.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC.