Journal article
Community health workers: improving population health through integration into healthcare systems
Current opinion in pediatrics, v 32(5), pp 674-682
Oct 2020
PMID: 32889962
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to describe the role, responsibilities, hiring, training, and retention of community health workers (CHWs) on clinical care teams in the United States.
CHWs are unique members of clinical care teams because of their ability to foster a deep trust and understanding with patients by sharing similar life experiences, participating in home visits, and providing constant support and advocacy. By partnering with CHWs, other clinical care members also gain a better understanding of their patients allowing them to deliver more culturally competent, patient/family-centered care. CHWs when incorporated into interdisciplinary teams have shown to lower healthcare costs, reduce hospital stays and admissions, and improve health outcomes and quality of life for children and families. However, the lack of standardization among CHW programs makes it difficult to quantify the overall effect and impact of integrating CHWs into clinical care teams.
CHWs are able to improve health outcomes and address social determinants of health when properly integrated into clinical care teams. However, without adequate support, integration, funding, and training, CHWs are not able to reach their full potential. The standardization of CHWs' responsibilities and training, like other clinical care team members, is lacking within the United States, making it a challenge to evaluate programs and maintain sustainable funding for these vital members of the clinical care team.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Community health workers: improving population health through integration into healthcare systems
- Creators
- Desiree Pinto - Drexel UniversityAmy Carroll-Scott - Drexel UniversityTracy Christmas - St. Christopher's Hospital for ChildrenMaura Heidig - St. Christopher's Hospital for ChildrenRenee Turchi - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Current opinion in pediatrics, v 32(5), pp 674-682
- Publisher
- Lippincott
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000587798000009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85090870315
- Other Identifier
- 991019168386004721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Pediatrics