Community Health Workers (CHWs) are gaining acceptance in the US health care system, but have been subject to challenges as to their “cost-effectiveness.” This situation is shifting, with a growing body of published evidence as to the effectiveness of CHWs, but much of the evidence of cost savings from employing CHWs is still unpublished. Return on investment analysis for CHWs … [Read more...] about Return on Investment From Employment of Community Health Workers
Task shifting
Searching for Common Ground on Incentives Packages for Community Workers and Volunteers in Zambia
This report reflects on an appropriate incentive package for the provision of care at the community level in Zambia. Human resources shortages, international migration, and a high burden of HIV contribute to an over-stretched public health system and the informal and unplanned delegation of service delivery tasks to volunteers operating at community level. Various incentives … [Read more...] about Searching for Common Ground on Incentives Packages for Community Workers and Volunteers in Zambia
Creating an Enabling Environment for Task Shifting in HIV and AIDS Services: Recommendations Based on Two African Country Case Studies
This is a USAID report of case studies done in Uganda and Swaziland looking at the current policies and approaches to task shifting with regard to HIV/AIDS. The case studies involve interviews and focus group discussions with various health care providers. The report recommends: 1. creating an enabling policy environment for task shifting; 2. integrating task shifting as part … [Read more...] about Creating an Enabling Environment for Task Shifting in HIV and AIDS Services: Recommendations Based on Two African Country Case Studies
Task shifting to tackle health worker shortages
This WHO report focuses on the “train” aspect of the task-shifting idea of "treat, train, retain," in the effort to reduce the burden on existing healthcare professionals by shifting certain tasks to others such as CHWs. This paper outlines the WHO’s approach to the training crisis. … [Read more...] about Task shifting to tackle health worker shortages
Task shifting in HIV/AIDS: opportunities, challenges and proposed actions for sub-Saharan Africa
This review paper examines key opportunities and challenges presented when task shifting is used to rapidly expand human resource capacity to address HIV/AIDS. Opportunities include: increasing access to life-saving treatment; improving workforce skills mix and health system efficiency; enhancing the role of the community; cost savings; and reducing attrition and international … [Read more...] about Task shifting in HIV/AIDS: opportunities, challenges and proposed actions for sub-Saharan Africa