Community health workers--an evolving force.
Ramprasad V.
PIP: An assessment was made in Indian villages of the performance of community health workers in primary care projects supported by funding agencies. In general these workers were neither adequately trained nor properly integrated into the programs to which they were attached, and the results left much to be desired. In some of the projects the training of health workers was invariably seen by the projects as a way of ensuring funding rather than of meeting a need. The only knowledge transfer between trainers and health workers occurred at monthly meetings. Manuals and teaching materials were scarce in many programs and those used were sometimes considered inappropriate. It was often observed that community health workers were very willing to offer assistance to patients and fellow-workers. They had a good grasp of theory and technical detail and were fully capable of performing allotted tasks. However, most of the projects lacked any system for evaluating the community health workers and consequently there was very little scope for upgrading their skills. Nevertheless, valuable experience was gained and it has been possible to draw up guidelines for organizing future programs in which community health workers should be able to realize their full potential.
PMID: 3254220 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]