Community health workers (CHWs) play a vital and unique role in linking diverse and underserved populations to health and social service systems. Despite their effectiveness, as documented by empirical studies across various disciplines including public health, nursing, and biomedicine, the value and potential role of CHWs in the social work practice and research literature has … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers and Their Value to Social Work
Research
Project MATCH: Training for a Promotora Intervention
Adequate training and support are critical for community health workers (promotoras de salud in Spanish) to work effectively. Current literature on promotora training is limited by a focus on promotoras' knowledge and satisfaction immediately after training. The relevance of training to subsequent work performance and the need for ongoing training are rarely addressed. This … [Read more...] about Project MATCH: Training for a Promotora Intervention
Increasing community health worker productivity and effectiveness: a review of the influence of the work environment
Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized as a critical link in improving access to services and achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals. Given the financial and human resources constraints in developing countries, CHWs are expected to do more without necessarily receiving the needed support to do their jobs well.This article presents … [Read more...] about Increasing community health worker productivity and effectiveness: a review of the influence of the work environment
Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification and Training: A National Survey of Regionally and State-Based Programs
Increased utilization of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. is coupled with a growing interest in standardized training of, and formal credentialing requirements for, CHWs on the part of state legislatures and federal agencies. The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide a national overview of state policy and state involvement in more formal training and … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification and Training: A National Survey of Regionally and State-Based Programs
Study on Health Extension Workers: Access to Information, Continuing Education and Reference Materials
This paper undertakes a study to make a needs assessment, define priorities and identify resources to plan appropriate CE programs and prepare reference materials. Method: The study was conducted in 27 woredas, 50 health posts (HP) and on 60 HEW in all regions where HEW have been already deployed. Results: Major problems identified … [Read more...] about Study on Health Extension Workers: Access to Information, Continuing Education and Reference Materials
