# Bridging medical education and public health: a pedagogical model to develop future physicians’ capacity in audience-tailored health communication

## TL;DR

This study introduces a new teaching model to help future doctors learn how to communicate health information effectively to different audiences, improving public health outcomes.

## Contribution

The A-SPIRE model is a novel pedagogical framework designed to train medical students in audience-tailored health communication.

## Key findings

- Students showed significant improvement in understanding and applying precision science communication concepts.
- Student-created communication works effectively addressed the needs of diverse target populations.
- 92.6% of students were satisfied with the A-SPIRE model, and 96.3% reported improved communication abilities.

## Abstract

Effective health communication is a cornerstone of public health promotion. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a pedagogical model to equip future physicians with essential skills in audience-tailored science communication, thereby contributing to the public health workforce.

The study involved 79 undergraduate students enrolled in the elective science communication course. The newly proposed A-SPIRE model (Anchoring, Searching, Processing, Integrating, Realizing, Evaluating) was applied in a teaching unit on “Precision Science Communication.” A pre-post design was used, with data collected via questionnaires, knowledge tests, and analysis of student-created communication works.

Students’ understanding of precision science communication concepts and recognition of its importance significantly improved post-course (P < 0.05). The overall distribution of knowledge test scores shifted upward (P < 0.05). The student-created works effectively addressed the needs and characteristics of different target populations, demonstrating strong relevance, targeting, and effectiveness. The student-created works demonstrated a strong ability to address the specific needs and characteristics of different target populations (adolescents, young/middle-aged adults, older adults). 92.6% of students were satisfied with the model, and 96.3% reported improved communication abilities.

The A-SPIRE model effectively enhances medical students’ competency in precision health communication. It represents a feasible and scalable educational strategy to bridge medical training and public health needs by cultivating a future workforce capable of designing and delivering effective, audience-specific health promotion interventions.