Role Development of Community Health Workers

Abstract

Background Research evaluating community health worker (CHW) programs inherently involves these natural community leaders in the research process, and often represents community-based participatory research (CBPR). Interpreting the results of CHW intervention studies and replicating their findings requires knowledge of how CHWs are selected and trained. Methods A summative content analysis was performed to evaluate the description of CHW selection and training in the existing literature. First-level coding focused on contextual information about CHW programs. Second-level coding identified themes related to the selection and training of CHWs. Results There was inconsistent reporting of selection and training processes for CHWs in the existing literature. Common selection criteria included personal qualities desired of CHWs. Training processes for CHWs were more frequently reported. Wide variation in the length and content of CHW training exists in the reviewed studies. A conceptual model is presented for the role development of CHWs based on the results of this review, which is intended to guide future reporting of CHW programs in the intervention literature. Conclusions Consistent reporting of CHW selection and training will allow consumers of intervention research to better interpret study findings. A standard approach to reporting selection and training processes will also more effectively guide the design and implementation of future CHW programs. All community-based researchers must find a balance between describing the research process and reporting more traditional scientific content. The current conceptual model provides a guide for standard reporting in the CHW literature.

Peer Training of Community Health Workers to Improve Heart Health Among African American Women

“…CHW training methods, such as role-playing, didactic presentations, experiential learning, or mentored one-on-one learning (Ruiz et al, 2012), are inconsistently reported in the literature and, when described in isolation, generally contrast sharply in key areas with the peer learning approach we describe here. Furthermore, few previous reports identify peer-to-peer participatory training approaches as the primary CHW training method (O'Brien, Squires, Bixby, & Larson, 2009) and even fewer identify the fundamental theory and methodology used to design and deliver CHW training curricula. Here we used the peer-to peer model as our participatory training methodology and approach to adult learning.…”

Addressing Health Disparities Through Patient Education: The Development of Culturally-Tailored Health Education Materials at Puentes de Salud

“…This academic-community partnership was formed in 2004 between Puentes de Salud and students, trainees, and faculty from the three largest academic medical centers in Philadelphia. Previous research efforts of this partnership have been described elsewhere (O'Brien, Halbert, Bixby, Pimentel, & Shea, 2010;O'Brien & Shea, 2009;O'Brien, Squires, Bixby, & Larson, 2009;O'Brien & Whittaker, 2011). The ultimate product of the program described in this article was the development, production, and dissemination of culturally and linguisticallyappropriate health brochures on a variety of topics commonly seen at the clinic.…”

Aligning Provider Team Members With Polyvalent Community Health Workers

“…This multimodal approach increases the efficiency of a CHW. 2,5,10,14 The patient's care is better coordinated and less fragmented, and communication is streamlined.…”

“…Despite the variations in title and role, there is consensus around these main functions: advocate, case manager, health educator, navigator, community outreach, program facilitator, and team member. 2,5,10,14 The common thread is a cultural, ethnic, experiential, or linguistic connection with the population served. This bond allows CHWs to support medically disadvantaged community members in ways that mainstream health care providers and systems have not.…”