After a general overview of communication and its paramount importance in the health care setting, J. David Johnson, a professor of communications, former media research analyst for the U.S. Information Agency, and author of seven previous books, outlines the best practices.

Definition and the use of metaphor -- Interpersonal physician-patient relationships -- Interprofessional teams -- Mass media -- Diffusion and dissemination -- Change -- Health information technology -- Summing up.