"Julie Apker addresses the landscape of health care environment in a way that captures its complexity and honors the experiences of both providers and patients. Her consideration of contemporary events will help readers to make sense of their professional and personal encounters with health care organizations." Katherine Miller, Texas A&M University "Apker has done an outstanding job in integrating and synthesizing a large body of research on the subject of communication in health organizations, and making it relevant to students. This is an excellent companion text for general health communication courses, or courses specific to health organizations." Eileen Berlin Ray, Cleveland State University "At last, a well-written and compelling book that surveys the forms and functions of communication in health organizations! Apker offers a timely and masterful analysis that is theoretically grounded and comprehensive in scope. For anyone working in a caring profession or interested in the communicative challenges of complex health systems, this is a must-read." Lynn Harter, Ohio University