Health

Microcredentials

Communication for health and education professionals (online and optional face-to-face session)

15.May - 15. Jul, 2025 Cod. 007-25

Improve communication with students, patients and in your clinical and educational environment. Practising and watching videos will help you to better manage your time and stress.

All courses

Download pdf

Description

This course is designed to strengthen the communication skills of health and education professionals, promoting more effective, empathetic and inclusive communication. Throughout five modules, key aspects such as social and emotional skills in communication, assertiveness, negotiation and motivational interviewing will be worked on. Verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening and empathy will also be addressed, as well as strategies for managing difficult situations, including the communication of bad news.

From an inclusive perspective and with a gender focus, the course will promote communication free of stereotypes, based on respect and equity. Through interactive dynamics, simulations and reflection exercises, participants will strengthen their communication skills, learning to manage conflicts, transmit messages with clarity and emotionally accompany those who need it in different health care contexts.

The course combines online methodologies and an optional face-to-face session.

Objectives

Strengthen the communication skills of health and education professionals, promoting more effective, empathetic and inclusive communication.

Learning outcomes and type of achievement

Learning Outcomes

1.Development of effective communication skills:

Participants will be able to demonstrate advanced skills in verbal and non-verbal communication in clinical situations, such as patient consultations, collaborations with colleagues and clinical case presentations.

2.Patient relationship management:

Participants will learn how to establish an empathetic and professional relationship with patients, addressing their concerns and needs effectively during consultations and follow-up.

3.Management of difficult situations:

Participants will learn how to apply communication strategies to manage difficult situations, such as the dissemination of bad news or conflict resolution in the clinical setting.

4. Adapting messages to different audiences:

Participants will learn how to adapt their communication to different audiences, such as patients, family members and colleagues, adjusting language and approach according to the context.

5.Evaluation and Constructive Feedback:

Participants will be able to provide and receive constructive feedback in the clinical context, using effective techniques to evaluate and improve communication with patients and colleagues.

Evaluation of Achievements

To evaluate these achievements, several tools can be used:

Assessments and Questionnaires: To measure acquired knowledge and the ability to apply communication techniques.
Observation and Feedback: Assessments during practical activities and simulations to observe the application of skills in real or simulated contexts.
Self-Assessment and Reflection: Participants' self-assessments and reflections on their own development and implementation of the techniques learned in their daily practice.
Satisfaction and Outcome Surveys: Surveys to assess participants' perceptions of the effectiveness of the course and the impact on their professional performance.

These achievements help to ensure that health professionals not only acquire knowledge, but also apply it effectively in their daily practice, improving the quality of care and collaboration in the clinical setting.

Access prerequisites and admission criteria

The course is mainly online but there is the opportunity to receive a face-to-face session.

Professional experience in the health and education sector.

Participants may be healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists, administrators or other professionals working directly with patients or clients. Employment counsellors or secondary school and university teachers will benefit from this course.

o Requirement: Participants must have computer and audio (camera is recommended), as well as basic skills in using computers and digital platforms.

o Required age: between 25 and 65 years old.

Level of learning experience according to EQF European Qualifications Framework

In the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (MECU) people with a level 1 or higher could be accepted. Any person who according to EQF: (European Qualifications Framework) has primary education can be accepted in the course if he/she passes the interview.

ESCO, European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations competency frameworks

https://esco.ec.europa.eu/es/classification/skill_main

Within the ESCO classification of skills and competences of the European Union, the following would be the corresponding ones related to this course

Transversal competences

Social and communication skills and competences

Skills and competences related to the ability to interact with others in a positive and productive way. This is demonstrated by communicating ideas in an effective and empathetic manner, coordinating one's own goals and actions with those of others, acting in structured, value-driven ways, caring for the well-being and progress of others and providing leadership.

Competences

S1. communication, collaboration and creativity

Communicate, collaborate, liaise and negotiate with others, develop solutions to problems, create plans or specifications for the design of objects and systems, compose texts or music, perform to entertain an audience and impart knowledge to others.

S3. providing assistance and care

Providing assistance, care, attention, service and support to people, and ensuring compliance with rules, regulations, guidelines or laws.

Evaluation tests

Written evaluations: 1. Multiple Choice Examinations
Written evaluations: 2. Evidence which is considered true/false
Oral evaluations: 4. Role-playing
Practical evaluations: 4. Tasks: (Practical exercises)
Online evaluations: 4. Discussion forums
Group evaluations: 3. Peer evaluation
Thought-evaluations: 1. Written Reflections

Activity directed to

All public
University student
Students not from university
Teachers
Professionals

Methodology

Each module has its own evaluation methodology, to obtain the certificate of successful completion of the course, it will be necessary:

Participate in the discussion forums: spaces for questions, debates and group reflection.
To complete the Interactive Exercises: Practical activities to reinforce learning.
Pass the Online Assessments: Quizzes and self-assessment activities.

In collaboration with

Directors

Virginia Guillen Cañas

Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería

Degree in Psychology and PhD in Neurosciences on Eating Disorders. Experience in Evidence-Based Methodology - Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre aimed at health prevention and communication of health professionals. Associate Professor of Neurosciences at the EHU/UPV, teaching Psychology in Medicine, Dentistry and Physiotherapy. Researcher at Osteba and the Mental Health Network of Bizkaia, with publications on developmental disorders, mental health and evaluation of interventions. She has directed theses on pain perception, rehabilitation of the body schema and doping or suicide detection using voice and speech parameters. With experience in drug addiction prevention programmes, she has developed communication strategies to strengthen skills and resilience. She has been a trainer on gender equality and has disseminated information to promote mental health. She has participated in awareness-raising projects on first psychotic episodes, chronicity and suicide. ORCID: https://ekoizpen-zientifikoa.ehu.eus/investigadores/125775/publicaciones

Speakers

Virginia Guillen Cañas

Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería

Josune Martin Corral

PhD in Psychology, with two degrees, Psychology and Pedagogy, studying for more than two years at a German University. She has completed complementary training with a Master's degree in Psycho-oncology and in research and with the Research Training Programme for Hospital Health Personnel. She is accredited as an Expert in Research in Health Services and Chronic Diseases by the University of Alcalá and as an Expert Psychologist in Psycho-oncology and/or Psychology in Palliative Care. She has positive accreditation from ANECA for the figures of PUP, PCD and PAD. In the clinical area as a Health Psychologist, she is Coordinator of the Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia Programme at IMQ AMSA. In the research area, she works in the Research Unit of the Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital. She is co-investigator in several projects with national and regional funding. She is also a member of the Research Network on Chronicity, Primary Care and Prevention and Health Promotion (RICAPPS). She is first author of publications in high impact journals (Q1 and Q2), as well as author of several book chapters and several articles in national journals of medicine and psychiatry.

Miren Agurtzane Ortiz Jauregui

UPV/EHU

Psychiatrist and doctor in Neurosciences. Master in Mental Health and Expert in Group Analysis. Professor of Neurosciences-Psychiatry at UPV/EHU. Professor of the Master's Degree in Healthy Aging and Quality of Life Academic Director of the Master's Degree in Comprehensive Care in Palliative Care Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing (2004-2021). President of the Bilbao Academy of Medical Sciences (ACMB) and member of its Mental Health Section. President of the Basque and Multilingualism Section of ACMB. Director of the Bilbao Medical Gazette. Vice President and Secretary of the UZTAI Foundation for the Promotion of Mental Health. Member of the Ethics Commission of the College of Physicians of Bizkaia (2005-2018). Member of different university, medical and medical education societies and commissions. Author and co-author of various scientific works, books, book chapters and contributions to conferences in Basque, Spanish and English. He has participated in different groups and research projects. Research lines: Psychosocial Aspects of Getting Sick, Mental Health Promotion, lifestyle and prognosis of mental illness, Chronicity, aging, Teaching research.

Sonia Ruiz de Azua

Sonia Ruiz de Azúa has a degree in psychology and a PhD from the UPV/EHU, qualified as a health psychologist. During her post-doctoral stage she has worked participating in more than 35 regional, national and European research projects related to severe mental disorders, monitoring, evaluating and testing various psychological treatments in pathologies such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, highly sensitive people, communication and social skills. She has extensive research dissemination work, with publications of books from prestigious publishers, book chapters, high impact factor journals indexed in JCR (40% first quartile) and attendance and participation in national and international congresses. She is currently an associate lecturer at the University of the Basque Country teaching psychology and communication in the degrees of Medicine, Dentistry and Physiotherapy.