Need and Expected Competencies of Health Communicators and Health Innovators in Thailand’s Healthcare System

Abstract

Health education requires public health personnel with specific skills and competencies called health communicators and health innovators. Therefore, developing professionals in these areas is essential for the healthcare system. This qualitative research aimed to investigate the need for, as well as the job descriptions and expected competencies required of, health communicators and health innovators in Thailand’s healthcare system. The 23 key informants in this study included executives from both the private and public sectors, health entrepreneurs in the private sector, and health communicators. All of them were selected purposively according to inclusion criteria. In-depth interviews were used for collecting data which were analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that 1) health communication and health innovation personnel were needed in both the public and private sectors, 2) the job description of health communicators focused on delivering health information through various up-to-date media channels; therefore, their competence required curiosity, health and media literacy, creativity, and a good attitude, 3) the job descriptions of health innovators was generally associated with the production and development of novel, diverse, attractive, and marketable health technologies; therefore, their expected competencies were searching, researching, designing, innovation, and creativity skills, together with a positive attitude towards health services. In sum, health communication and health innovation personnel are the key persons related to communicating with people to educate people and help to obtain the desired level of health literacy, in addition to the application of modern technology and innovation to serve the current situations.