Cancer Education for Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) in Alaska Assessing Comfort with Cancer

Cueva, Melany; Lanier, Anne P.; Dignan, Mark; Kuhnley, Regina; Jenkins, Crystal

doi:10.1207/s15430154jce2002_8

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…Two of these studies foreground the likelihood that AI/AN patients will receive care from non-physician providers, due in part to financial constraints and regional differences in provider availability. One study included a survey of almost 500 community health practitioners in Alaska, who reported that they often felt confident discussing cancer risk factors or care issues, but had less knowledge and comfort around cancer pain 24. The other study, conducted in an urban, nurse-managed primary care center, found that pain-related issues were the most common reason for seeking care 54…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Experience, Epidemiology, and Management of Pain among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Aboriginal Canadian Peoples

Jimenez

Garroutte

Kundu

et al. 2011

The Journal of Pain

109

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Substantial literature suggests that diverse biological, psychological, and sociocultural mechanisms account for differences by race and ethnicity in the experience, epidemiology, and management of pain. Many studies have examined differences between Whites and minority populations, but American Indians (AIs), Alaska Natives (ANs), and Aboriginal peoples of Canada have been neglected both in studies of pain and in efforts to understand its biopsychosocial and cultural determinants. This article reviews the epidemiology of pain and identifies factors that may affect clinical assessment and treatment in these populations. We searched for peer-reviewed articles focused on pain in these populations, using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and the University of New Mexico Native Health Database. We identified 28 articles published 1990-2009 in 3 topic areas: epidemiology of pain, pain assessment and treatment, and healthcare utilization. A key finding is that AI/ANs have a higher prevalence of pain symptoms and painful conditions than the U.S. general population. We also found evidence for problems in provider-patient interactions that affect clinical assessment of pain, as well as indications that AI/AN patients frequently use alternative modalities to manage pain. Future research should focus on pain and comorbid conditions and develop conceptual frameworks for understanding and treating pain in these populations.Perspective-We reviewed the literature on pain in AI/ANs and found a high prevalence of pain and painful conditions, along with evidence of poor patient-provider communication. We recommend further investigation of pain and comorbid conditions and development of conceptual frameworks for understanding and treating pain in this population.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Experience, Epidemiology, and Management of Pain among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Aboriginal Canadian Peoples

Jimenez

Garroutte

Kundu

et al. 2011

The Journal of Pain

109

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“…In response, the Community Health Aide Program cancer education project team developed and delivered in-person cancer and wellness classes throughout the last decade in Alaska’s CHA/P Basic Training Centers (Anchorage, Nome, Bethel) [7,8]. Unfortunately, Alaska’s geographic challenges (large distances, expensive airfare, and harsh weather patterns) restrict the amount of in-person cancer education that can be made available to CHA/Ps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-Creating a Culturally Responsive Distance Education Cancer Course with, and for, Alaska’s Community Health Workers: Motivations from a Survey of Key Stakeholders

et al. 2015

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To gain input on a proposed culturally-responsive, distance-delivered cancer education course informed by Empowerment Theory and adult learning principles, Alaska’s Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) and CHA/P leadership were invited to take an online survey in February 2015. The proposed course will be developed as part of the “Distance Education to Engage Alaskan Community Health Aides in Cancer Control” project. The results of the survey demonstrate that respondents are both interested in taking the proposed class, and engaging in course development. The results also indicate that respondents have the technological comfort and capacity to be engaged in online learning, and have primarily positive experiences and perceptions of distance education. This survey is the beginning of the interactive development of the online cancer education course, and part of a continuing endeavor to promote wellness with, and for, Alaska’s people by empowering Alaska’s CHA/Ps and inspiring positive behavioral change to both prevent cancer, and support those who feel its burdens. “I think this is a great step in the right direction for educating ourselves about cancer, how to cure it; how to manage it/live with it everyday. Quyannakpuk for making these first steps!”

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“…And I know how to use the therabands”; quitting tobacco (3), “I've already cut back on my smoking. I'm going to quit!”; and having recommended screening exams (7), “I will get a colon screening – I am 50”.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although disease prevention and health promotion are part of CHA/P training, only a few hours of the curriculum can be dedicated to these topics, as CHA/Ps’ primary practice is providing direct patient care. To supplement CHAP basic training, two 5-day courses were developed; a CHA/P diabetes course in 1996 (6) and a cancer education course in 1998 (7–9) which grew out of CHA/Ps’ desire to learn more to better care for the people in their communities.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Wellness Course for Community Health Workers in Alaska: “wellness lives in the heart of the community”

Cueva

Hicks

Kuhnley

et al. 2012

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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ObjectivesTo develop, implement, and evaluate a culturally respectful Wellness Course with and for Alaska's village-based Community Health Workers (CHWs) to support community health promotion and disease prevention.Study designThis article describes Wellness Course development, implementation, and evaluation.MethodsFive 5-day Wellness Courses were provided for 55 CHWs from communities throughout Alaska. Fifty-two of 55 participants completed a post-course written evaluation. Post-course telephone interviews were conducted with participants (11/32) from the first 3 courses.ResultsOn written post-course evaluations, all participants wrote detailed descriptions of what they learned and 98% (51/52) felt more confident in their knowledge and ability to present community wellness information. As a result of course participation, 88% (46/52) of CHWs wrote ways they would support family and community wellness, and 85% (44/52) wrote ways they planned to take better care of their health. During the in-depth post-course interviews, all 11 CHWs interviewed described ways the Wellness Course increased their health knowledge, helped them in their work, and prepared them to effectively engage with their communities to promote health.ConclusionsLearning wellness information with hands-on activities and practising health presentation and community engagement skills within the course design increased participants’ wellness knowledge and skills, confidence, and motivation to provide community wellness activities. Techniques for active listening, engaging community, and using the arts and storytelling as culturally respectful health promotion are tools that when used by CHWs within their own community have potential to empower community wellness.

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Cancer Education for Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) in Alaska Assessing Comfort with Cancer

Cited by 12 publications

References 0 publications

A Review of the Experience, Epidemiology, and Management of Pain among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Aboriginal Canadian Peoples

A Review of the Experience, Epidemiology, and Management of Pain among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Aboriginal Canadian Peoples

Co-Creating a Culturally Responsive Distance Education Cancer Course with, and for, Alaska’s Community Health Workers: Motivations from a Survey of Key Stakeholders

A Wellness Course for Community Health Workers in Alaska: “wellness lives in the heart of the community”

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