Utfordringer med helsekommunikasjon i helseprofesjonspraksis: en pedagogisk-didaktisk analyse av helsekompetanse og den sosiale konteksten

Patients have various challenges with health communication and health literacy that constitute personal health risk. Many have language difficulties and limited ability to critically evaluate various health claims. In addition, healthcare personnel also have challenges in explaining themselves, understanding and assessing health knowledge. On the basis of a Norwegian questionnaire survey (2019) on general and digital health competence (N = 373) involving respondents with health education and without, similarities and differences within and between the two groups are described and analysed. Through a critical pedagogical-didactic analysis, health competence is criticised, as health ideals are not universal facts. They are historical and contemporary constructions, and there are cultural differences in body and health ideals as well as unequal access to health knowledge and technologies. Healthcare services and professions must be attentive to these differences and inequalities, and respect the diversity of health ideals and practices. They can better serve vulnerable groups by aspiring to culturally sensitive health communication