Health Communicator Skills in Spain: 2024 Profile

What is it?

A health communication professional bridges the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding. This role has evolved into a strategic position within healthcare institutions, requiring not only academic expertise but also emotional intelligence, ethics, and adaptability.

Why is it important?

According to the research of Sánchez López and Romero-Rodríguez, Spain lacks a standardized profile for this growing profession. This article explains that health communicators must be versatile, combining media literacy, scientific understanding, and empathetic messaging to combat misinformation and promote health literacy.

Key Findings from the Study

Methodological Approach

A two-phase Delphi study was conducted with 22 experts from academia and the professional sector, including universities such as Complutense de Madrid and Rey Juan Carlos. The research combined literature review and expert panel feedback using structured qualitative and quantitative tools.

Core Competencies Identified

The main findings indicate that the modern health communicator in Spain must possess:

• Academic foundation in Communication and/or Health Sciences.

• Postgraduate specialization in health communication.

• Technical skills like digital media, SEO, and public speaking.

• Soft skills including empathy, teamwork, and resilience.

• Ethical commitment and alignment with professional standards.

Dimensions of a Health Communicator’s Profile

Educational Requirements

Experts unanimously agree on the need for postgraduate training. Top-rated areas include:

• Understanding the healthcare system.

• Digital communication and social media literacy.

• Corporate health communication.

Professional Skills

Highly valued abilities include:

• Teamwork (9.35/10)

• Clear and effective writing (9.3/10)

• Patient-centered orientation (9.05/10)

These skills support collaboration with stakeholders and ensure that health content is accessible and actionable.

Personal Skills

The study found that traits such as rigor, empathy, creativity, and emotional intelligence are essential for effective communication in health contexts.

Attitudinal Competencies

Top-rated were:

• Ethics and deontology (9.7/10)

• Professional commitment (9.1/10)

These reflect the need for communicators to act with integrity and dedication in high-stakes environments.

Challenges and Future Directions

This article explains that health communicators face external pressures from politics, industry, and public opinion. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgency of clear, empathetic, and evidence-based communication.

Experts recommend:

• Expanding the study to other countries.

• Developing standardized training frameworks.

• Encouraging dual backgrounds in communication and health.

FAQs

What is a health communication professional?
A trained expert who translates medical information into clear, engaging, and accurate content for public and professional audiences.

Is postgraduate training necessary?
Yes. The study found universal agreement on the need for postgraduate education in health communication.

Why are personal and ethical competencies emphasized?
Because these enable communicators to navigate complex environments and build trust with diverse audiences.