Community Health Worker Videoconferencing Interventions for Disease Management and Health Promotion: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Public health interventions delivered by community health workers (CHWs) have been proven effective in improving health outcomes across multiple fields, particularly in populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems. To date, little research is available about how CHW-led interventions could be successfully delivered virtually, despite many other healthcare services being offered via telehealth. OBJECTIVE This paper details a scoping review protocol that aims to assess the existing literature on community health worker-led interventions using videoconferencing technology. METHODS The scoping review protocol was developed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines on conduct of scoping reviews. Included papers will describe a direct intervention to manage disease or improve health, delivered by community health workers via videoconferencing. Multiple literature databases and grey literature will be searched. Abstracts and then full texts will be reviewed to determine inclusion by two independent reviewers; conflicts at each stage will be resolved by a third reviewer. A data extraction tool will be used by reviewers to independently chart data from included studies; results will be reviewed for accuracy by a second reviewer. Included papers will be analyzed to identify the breadth of the available evidence, including barriers, facilitators, effectiveness, and best practices described in the literature. Data will be summarized in a narrative review. RESULTS This study commenced in April 2022, and the study protocol was finalized in November 2022. A preliminary search of the published literature (excluding grey literature) in August 2022 revealed 265 abstracts after removal of duplicates. The formal literature search will commence in January 2024, with results available by June 2024. We intend to publish results in the academic literature as well as creating a report accessible to non-academic and community audiences. CONCLUSIONS This review will illuminate the breadth of the evidence available on CHW videoconferencing interventions and will be of great value to organizations that offer CHW services.