Best Practices Guidelines in Implementing and Evaluating CHW Programs in Health Care Settings

Best Practices Guidelines in Implementing and Evaluating CHW Programs in Health Care Settings

 Jamie Campbell, MPH

Sinai Urban Health Institute

CHWs in Illinois: Recognizing and Sustaining the WorkforceApril 21, 2014

2

Outline

• Background– Sinai Urban Health Institute– Community Health Worker (CHW)

Research and Evaluation Project

• Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings

• Concluding remarks

• Founded in 2000, SUHI is a community-based research institute that is part of the Sinai Health System

• Develops and implements effective approaches that improve the health of urban communities

• Serves as a focal point for the evidence-based examination of community health status, the effectiveness of interventions, and methods of improving health care delivery

• A lead institute in documenting and addressing health disparities in Chicago

• Implementing the CHW model for 13 years3

Sinai Urban Health Institute

• In 2010, approached by the Fry Foundation to explore CHW roles and models in healthcare

• Noticed a growing utilization of CHWs in health care settings

• Recognized gaps in the knowledge-base of the field concerning best practices

4

CHW Research and Evaluation Project (2011-

2013)

Methods

• Conducted a comprehensive literature review on CHWs

• Networked with major CHW groups throughout the Illinois and the U.S.– The American Public Health Association CHW Section– The Chicago CHW Local Network– Health & Medicine Policy Research Group– The CHW Alliance of CEED@Chicago

• Conducted formal and informal interviews with stakeholders in the field

• Surveyed local health care agencies currently implementing the CHW model within their system5

16

CHW Model Quadrant

2

Outline

• Background– Sinai Urban Health Institute– Community Health Worker (CHW)

Research and Evaluation Project

• Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings

• Concluding remarks

13

Purpose and Objective:

• Blue print for CHW program implementation or revising practices

• Aids programs wanting to more critically examine CHW system processes and program outcomes

• Grounded in evidence-based science

This project is supported by the Lloyd A Fry Foundation

1. An Extensive Review of Available Published Professional Literature

2. Evidence from the CHW National Workforce Study (2007)• National snapshot; Comparison data for #3

3. Findings from the CHW in Chicago Health Care Setting Survey (2011)• Local snapshot; Specific to health care

4. Experience from SUHI’s CHW programs• Hospital and community-based programs

5. Additional perspectives from local and national CHW employers, researchers, and CHWs themselves

Sources of Background Information

• Innovative approaches to CHW hiring, training, and performance evaluation;

• Supervision challenges and strategies for success;

• Providing a positive organizational climate to facilitate CHW integration;

• Other effective elements of program design; and

• Program evaluation, including CHW process and outcome measures.

Topics Included

14

CHW Best Practice Guidelines

• Five Summary of Evidence Sections1. CHW Hiring2. CHW Training3. CHW Supervision4. CHW Integration into Health Care Systems5. Evaluating CHW Programs and Interventions

15

Dissemination

• Efforts to distribute the CHW Best Practices report and inform health agencies about the CHW model– Conferences– Presentations– Workshops

• Working with local groups, such as– Chicago CHW Local Network– Health & Medicine Policy Research Group– Illinois Health Care Taskforce Working Group 3

12

2

Outline

• Background– Sinai Urban Health Institute– Community Health Worker (CHW)

Research and Evaluation Project

• Best Practice Guidelines for Implementing and Evaluating Community Health Worker Programs in Health Care Settings

• Concluding remarks

Summary

• CHWs play a role in reducing health disparities

• Hiring CHWs strengthens communities by providing jobs

• CHWs are a community resource• CHWs must be a part of the process

and are integral to the conversation

14

Reports available at and by mail:www.suhichicago.org

15

Questions

Jamie Campbell, MPHPhone: 773-257-5977

jamie.campbell@sinai.org

Melissa Gutierrez Kapheim, MSmelissa.gutierrez@sinai.org