Check out these books that discuss how to create an optimal digital patient experience.
Shop Stream Heal: Transforming Patient Care in the Digital Age by Adeline Ashley
The reality is striking: while we can stream movies on demand and order anything to our doorstep with a click, healthcare interactions often feel needlessly complex. Through my work leading digital transformation at major healthcare systems, I’ve seen firsthand how we can change this—bringing consumer-grade experiences to healthcare while enhancing what matters most: patient care.
In Shop, Stream, Heal, author Adeline Ashley shares actionable insights from industry leaders like Netflix, Amazon, and Delta Airlines, showing how healthcare can thoughtfully adapt their winning strategies. This isn’t about technology for technology’s sake—it’s about making healthcare more accessible, intuitive, and human.
About the Author:
Adeline Ashley has spent over two decades revolutionizing digital experiences across industries. As Sitecore’s global healthcare lead, she helps organizations transform their digital presence and patient engagement strategies.
Her unique perspective combines deep technology expertise with real-world healthcare implementation experience. Through her work with major healthcare systems, she has developed practical approaches to digital transformation that maintain the human touch essential to quality care.
Adeline’s passion for improving the healthcare experience stems from personal insights. Her ability to bridge the gap between consumer technology and healthcare needs has made her a trusted advisor to healthcare organizations navigating digital transformation.
In Search of Good Medicine by Mark D. Shipley
Mark D. Shipley explores the intersection of care and commerce in healthcare, offering a thoughtful look at how ethics, empathy, and economics collide. His narrative peels back the layers of modern medicine to ask what truly defines “good” healthcare today.
What You’ll Learn:
Gain perspective on how healthcare providers juggle patient care with financial realities, why ethics remain central to medical decisions, and how these tensions shape both policy and practice.
Why You Should Read It:
This is for readers looking to understand the human and economic forces shaping the medical profession—especially those curious about the challenges facing physicians beyond the clinic.
Quote from the Book:
“Good medicine is not just about diagnosis and treatment, but also understanding the soul of the patient.”
About the Author:
Mark D. Shipley combines deep industry knowledge with sharp storytelling to examine the cultural and commercial sides of medicine. More from him is available on his Amazon author page.
Healthcare Marketing: A Case Study Approach by Leigh Cellucci
Leigh Cellucci offers a practical, real-world look at healthcare marketing through detailed case studies. These aren’t hypothetical scenarios—they’re grounded in the day-to-day decisions and dilemmas marketers actually face.
What You’ll Learn:
Explore how strategic marketing fits into healthcare operations, study real examples of what works (and what doesn’t), and walk away with practical insights that can be applied in your own organization.
Why You Should Read It:
If you prefer learning through doing—or, in this case, reading about others doing—this book delivers the kind of hands-on experience that’s hard to get elsewhere.
Quote from the Book:
“Marketing in healthcare is not just about promotion, but about understanding the needs of the patient and community.”
About the Author:
Leigh Cellucci is a recognized leader in healthcare marketing education, known for blending academic expertise with practical application. You can find her on LinkedIn.
Marketing Health Services by Richard K. Thomas
Richard K. Thomas draws a straight line between marketing principles and patient needs, explaining how to create and deliver value in a healthcare setting. It’s equal parts marketing manual and healthcare primer.
What You’ll Learn:
Understand how traditional marketing tools are reinterpreted for the health services sector, why research is essential in this context, and which techniques actually drive engagement and loyalty.
Why You Should Read It:
It’s an essential read for marketers who want more than buzzwords—a grounded approach to applying marketing science in one of the most complex industries around.
Quote from the Book:
“In the world of healthcare, understanding the patient is the key to effective marketing.”
About the Author:
Richard K. Thomas brings decades of experience in both healthcare and marketing strategy. His writing is known for being clear, applicable, and thoroughly researched. Visit his Amazon author page for more.
The Patient Will See You Now by Eric Topol, MD
Dr. Eric Topol paints a compelling picture of healthcare’s future—one where technology hands more power to patients and transforms the physician-patient dynamic forever.
What You’ll Learn:
Get a front-row seat to the rise of digital health tools, the growth of personalized medicine, and the radical shift toward data-informed self-care.
Why You Should Read It:
If you want to see how AI, mobile devices, and consumer tech are revolutionizing the healthcare experience, this book offers a sharp, insightful guide to what’s next.
Quote from the Book:
“The next era offers the serendipity of medical science and technology meeting up at just the right time.”
About the Author:
Dr. Eric Topol is one of the most influential voices at the crossroads of medicine and technology. Follow his updates on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The New Rules of Healthcare Marketing by Arthur C. Sturm
Arthur C. Sturm outlines a modern playbook for healthcare marketing, complete with 23 tactical approaches tailored to the realities of today’s digitally connected patient.
What You’ll Learn:
Learn how digital transformation is changing how providers reach and retain patients, and explore strategies that are designed to meet the expectations of an informed, always-online audience.
Why You Should Read It:
This book is for healthcare marketers who want to stay ahead of the curve, rethinking traditional tactics and adopting proven methods that align with the modern consumer mindset.
Quote from the Book:
“In healthcare, your marketing narrative is not just a message; it’s a commitment to your audience.”
About the Author:
Arthur C. Sturm brings years of consulting and marketing experience to the table, offering expert guidance to marketers working in high-stakes healthcare environments.
Strategic Healthcare Management by Stephen L. Walston, Ph.D.
Dr. Stephen L. Walston explores how thoughtful planning and smart execution create stronger, more responsive healthcare organizations. This book is as much about leadership as it is about logistics.
What You’ll Learn:
Understand the fundamentals of strategy in healthcare, how to craft effective plans, and what it takes to bring those plans to life in a constantly evolving environment.
Why You Should Read It:
For anyone working in or adjacent to healthcare operations, this book connects the dots between strategic thinking and day-to-day success.
Quote from the Book:
“In healthcare, strategy is not just about envisioning the future but methodically crafting the path to get there.”
About the Author:
Stephen L. Walston, Ph.D., is an expert in health systems management and strategic development. Find more of his work on LinkedIn.
Bringing Value to Healthcare by Rita E. Numerof and Michael Abrams
Numerof and Abrams argue for a healthcare system centered on value—not volume. Their work outlines how moving to a market-based model can improve outcomes, reduce waste, and make care more accountable.
What You’ll Learn:
Discover why shifting from a fee-for-service mindset to a value-based model matters, and get step-by-step advice for organizations looking to make that leap.
Why You Should Read It:
It’s ideal for healthcare leaders trying to align their operations with today’s demands for transparency, affordability, and measurable outcomes.
Quote from the Book:
“Value in healthcare isn’t a buzzword, it’s a requisite for a sustainable, patient-centric system.”
About the Authors:
Rita E. Numerof and Michael Abrams are respected healthcare strategists and co-founders of a firm focused on market-based innovation. Connect with Rita on LinkedIn and Twitter, and Michael on LinkedIn.
Strategic Healthcare Management by Ira Studin
Ira Studin connects dots between business management best practices and the specific demands of managed care. The result is a pragmatic guide for healthcare executives navigating a complex system.
What You’ll Learn:
See how principles from top business minds can be adapted for managed care, from operational excellence to leadership agility.
Why You Should Read It:
For those who want a management-focused approach to healthcare strategy without getting lost in academic jargon.
Quote from the Book:
“Applying time-tested management principles to healthcare can be the linchpin of transformation.”
About the Author:
Ira Studin is a specialist in healthcare leadership and policy, helping organizations bridge management theory with clinical reality. He’s available for networking on LinkedIn.
Book Now! Internet Marketing for Healthcare Practices by Garrett J. Smith
Garrett J. Smith gives healthcare professionals a practical blueprint for boosting visibility and attracting patients online. It’s digital marketing 101—custom-built for healthcare.
What You’ll Learn:
Get a crash course in SEO, online advertising, social media, and website optimization—all geared toward growing your practice and connecting with patients more effectively.
Why You Should Read It:
This is your guide to building a stronger online brand and engaging patients before they ever walk through your door.
Quote from the Book:
“In the age of information, your online presence speaks volumes before a patient ever walks in.”
About the Author:
Garrett J. Smith is a digital marketing strategist focused exclusively on healthcare. Follow his insights on LinkedIn.
