Rethinking science from the university social studies and the transformation of doctoral education

Abstract

Internal communication in public health institutions is a key operational axis and an essential space for the production and circulation of organizational knowledge. This study, from a critical organizational perspective, diagnosed the internal communication dynamics within a Cuban healthcare institution, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for structural improvement. Using a qualitative, non-experimental, and descriptive design, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were conducted, with thematic coding performed using Atlas.ti. A hierarchical structure was observed, characterized by limited feedback, strong reliance on informal channels, and a lack of strategic planning in communication management. These conditions hinder transparency, demotivate staff, and limit the institution’s responsiveness. However, spontaneous collaborative practices and a willingness for interpersonal dialogue were also noted, representing valuable resources for bottom-up institutional trans formation. It is necessary to professionalize internal communication, institutionalize protocols, and democratize information flows. Communication should be addressed as a transversal component of public management, constitutive of both power and organizational knowledge. The study provides conceptual and practical tools for rethinking the relationship between communication, institutional authority, and organizational epistemologies in the field of public health.