Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,952 studies31 sourcesUpdated 25 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Health Science Reports

Strategic Health Communication as a Value Practice: Insights From the German‐Speaking Healthcare Systems

  • Slavko Rogan1
  • Katja Schlegel2
  • Eefje Luijckx1
  1. 1School of Health Professions, Division of Physiotherapy Bern University of Applied Sciences Bern Switzerland
  2. 2Faculty of Human Science, Institute of Psychology University of Bern Bern Switzerland
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study synthesizes value‑related patterns of strategic health communication across macro, meso and micro levels and analyses their relevance for functional, interactive, critical, digital and organizational health literacy (HL).

Methods: A narrative, theory‑informed synthesis was conducted, integrating 15 empirical and conceptual articles from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Evidence from population surveys, organizational assessments, digital content analyses, qualitative youth studies and crisis‑communication research was categorized across system levels and analysed for explicit and implicit value dimensions.

Results: Five value configurations emerged across contexts: clarity–safety–rights, participation–appreciation–co‑production, trust–transparency–consistency, inclusion–equity–accessibility and digitality–risk literacy–source criticism. Structural obstacles such as low readability of health websites, organizational gaps in patient involvement and marked digital HL inequalities among adolescents and multimorbid older adults were consistently documented.

Discussion: Strategic health communication succeeds when systemic, organizational and interpersonal values align. Misalignments create HL gradients, while value‑driven practices such as plain language, teach‑back, multimodal formats and empathetic crisis communication enhance comprehension, trust and engagement. Value‑oriented communication frameworks are therefore essential for equitable HL promotion.

Related

  1. Integration of artificial intelligence in clinical practice – Insights from a modified Delphi study with human factors experts and healthcare professionals
    Katharina Wenderott, Jim Krups, Matthias Weigl +1
    Human Factors in HealthcarePeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthDOAJ
  2. Strategic Considerations for Video Consultation Implementation in General Practice: Qualitative Study of Organizational Interest-Holders’ Perspectives
    Ulrik Bak Kirk, Ditte Bonde Stanek, Mette Amalie Nebsbjerg +6
    Journal of Medical Internet ResearchPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEpidemiology & public healthPMC
  3. Immersion 360, a european patient-partnered research project aimed at developing communication skills in paediatrics and raising awareness of interprofessional collaboration practice in partnership.
    Luigi Flora
    HALPreprintCC BY 4.0Full textEcologyEpidemiology & public healthHALHAL
  4. Communication practices and challenges of healthcare providers in febrile seizure counseling : A cross-sectional study
    Laila A. Albishi, Aseel Hameed Algohani, Reem Fayez J. Alanazi +7
    MedicinePeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  5. Association between knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding family doctor contract services and perceived healthcare barriers among contracted residents: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China
    Qi Shen, Weiying Gu, Shuai Liu +1
    BMC Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Epidemiology & public healthCrossref

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{rogan2026strategic,
  title = {{Strategic Health Communication as a Value Practice: Insights From the German‐Speaking Healthcare Systems}},
  author = {Slavko Rogan and Katja Schlegel and Eefje Luijckx},
  journal = {Health Science Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1002/hsr2.73491},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.73491},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Strategic Health Communication as a Value Practice: Insights From the German‐Speaking Healthcare Systems
AU  - Slavko Rogan
AU  - Katja Schlegel
AU  - Eefje Luijckx
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - Health Science Reports
DO  - 10.1002/hsr2.73491
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.73491
AB  - Background and Aim: This study synthesizes value‑related patterns of strategic health communication across macro, meso and micro levels and analyses their relevance for functional, interactive, critical, digital and organizational health literacy (HL).  Methods: A narrative, theory‑informed synthesis was conducted, integrating 15 empirical and conceptual articles from Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Evidence from population surveys, organizational assessments, digital content analyses, qualitative youth studies and crisis‑communication research was categorized across system levels and analysed for explicit and implicit value dimensions.  Results: Five value configurations emerged across contexts: clarity–safety–rights, participation–appreciation–co‑production, trust–transparency–consistency, inclusion–equity–accessibility and digitality–risk literacy–source criticism. Structural obstacles such as low readability of health websites, organizational gaps in patient involvement and marked digital HL inequalities among adolescents and multimorbid older adults were consistently documented.  Discussion: Strategic health communication succeeds when systemic, organizational and interpersonal values align. Misalignments create HL gradients, while value‑driven practices such as plain language, teach‑back, multimodal formats and empathetic crisis communication enhance comprehension, trust and engagement. Value‑oriented communication frameworks are therefore essential for equitable HL promotion.
SN  - 2398-8835
ER  -