Mya Sherman1, Hannah Covert, Laila Fox, Maureen Lichtveld. 1. Center for Gulf Coast Environmental Health Research, Leadership, and Strategic Initiatives (Ms Sherman and Dr Covert) and Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences (Dr Lichtveld), School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana; and National Network of Public Health Institutes, New Orleans, Louisiana (Ms Fox).
Abstract
CONTEXT: Community health workers (CHWs) are an increasingly viable component of the American health system. While organizations may be interested in incorporating CHWs into the health care workforce, there are challenges to doing so. OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes the successes and lessons learned from implementing new CHW programs in clinical and community-based settings in 4 US Gulf states. DESIGN: Semistructured interviews were conducted with CHWs and their supervisors. SETTING: Interviews were conducted with participants in 16 community-based organizations and federally qualified health centers located in coastal counties and parishes of Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants consisted of 22 CHWs and 17 CHW supervisors. RESULTS: Although most challenges and strategies were reported by participants working in both clinical and community-based settings, some were workplace-specific. Participants from predominantly clinical settings described the importance of strengthening organizational cohesion and coordination, whereas participants from community-based participants discussed the need for specialized training for CHWs. In both work environments, participants indicated that CHW functioning was constrained by limited organizational resources, difficulty accessing the client population, and limited knowledge regarding the CHW's scope of practice. Strategies to improve CHW functioning in both settings included investing in local partnerships, streamlining resources, prioritizing strong communication and outreach, and establishing explicit operating procedures. The majority of participants noted that challenges lessened over time. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating successes and lessons learned in CHW work is critical to maximize CHWs' abilities to address clients' health needs and promote health in underserved communities. This study provides important insights into how to successfully integrate CHWs into the public health workforce.
CONTEXT: Community health workers (CHWs) are an increasingly viable component of the American health system. While organizations may be interested in incorporating CHWs into the health care workforce, there are challenges to doing so. OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes the successes and lessons learned from implementing new CHW programs in clinical and community-based settings in 4 US Gulf states. DESIGN: Semistructured interviews were conducted with CHWs and their supervisors. SETTING: Interviews were conducted with participants in 16 community-based organizations and federally qualified health centers located in coastal counties and parishes of Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants consisted of 22 CHWs and 17 CHW supervisors. RESULTS: Although most challenges and strategies were reported by participants working in both clinical and community-based settings, some were workplace-specific. Participants from predominantly clinical settings described the importance of strengthening organizational cohesion and coordination, whereas participants from community-based participants discussed the need for specialized training for CHWs. In both work environments, participants indicated that CHW functioning was constrained by limited organizational resources, difficulty accessing the client population, and limited knowledge regarding the CHW's scope of practice. Strategies to improve CHW functioning in both settings included investing in local partnerships, streamlining resources, prioritizing strong communication and outreach, and establishing explicit operating procedures. The majority of participants noted that challenges lessened over time. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating successes and lessons learned in CHW work is critical to maximize CHWs' abilities to address clients' health needs and promote health in underserved communities. This study provides important insights into how to successfully integrate CHWs into the public health workforce.
Authors: Stephanie L Cacal; Napualani Spock; Michelle L Quensell; Tetine L Sentell; David A Stupplebeen Journal: Hawaii J Med Public Health Date: 2019-06
Authors: Paul Sandifer; Landon Knapp; Maureen Lichtveld; Ruth Manley; David Abramson; Rex Caffey; David Cochran; Tracy Collier; Kristie Ebi; Lawrence Engel; John Farrington; Melissa Finucane; Christine Hale; David Halpern; Emily Harville; Leslie Hart; Yulin Hswen; Barbara Kirkpatrick; Bruce McEwen; Glenn Morris; Raymond Orbach; Lawrence Palinkas; Melissa Partyka; Dwayne Porter; Aric A Prather; Teresa Rowles; Geoffrey Scott; Teresa Seeman; Helena Solo-Gabriele; Erik Svendsen; Terry Tincher; Juli Trtanj; Ann Hayward Walker; Rachel Yehuda; Fuyuen Yip; David Yoskowitz; Burton Singer Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-10-15