Objective: To identify the characteristics, needs and difficulties of training of health professionals in health care and inter-professional communication and discover mechanisms for improvement and a desirable educational profile for implementing a training strategy., Material and Method: Qualitative, descriptive and interpretive study carried out between September 2006 and July 2007 at the initiative of the Dirección General de Asistencia Sanitaria-Servicio Murciano de Salud (SMS) and the Dirección General de Calidad Asistencial, Formación e Investigación Sanitaria-Consejería de Sanidad of Murcia, Spain. Participants included 11 doctors, 5 nurses, 1 psychologist and 1 primary and specialised care journalist and the Consejería de Sanidad of Murcia. 2 focus groups were used with sampling by structural saturation, recording of speeches on audiovisual support, verbatim transcript and content analysis., Results: We must encourage attitude changes and acquire the tools for proper care in everyday situations. It is also necessary to rethink subject matter and approaches, define the profile of teachers and develop collaboration and motivation mechanisms. Training in health care communication and inter-professional communication is crucial but it is limited, self-taught, poorly structured and generalistic. It has difficulties associated with attendance, outreach and recognition., Conclusions: A strategic plan for training communication must be based on a human perspective. Its integration must be undertaken by the institution, and universal with the interests and needs felt and expressed by professionals and citizens., (Copyright © 2008 Sociedad Española de Calidad Asistencial. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)