This brief draws on AMREF's experience, looking at three key issues: appropriate training, task-shifting to lower cadres of worker, and training and supporting CHWs to bring health care closer to communities. It emphasizes both the need for global commitment to scale up proven models at the national level and leadership and ownership by African governments. … [Read more...] about People first: African solutions to the health worker crisis
Task shifting
Increasing access to Family Planning (FP) and Reproductive Health (RH) services through task-sharing between CHWs and community mid-level professionals in large-scale public-sector programs: A Literature Review to Help Guide Case Studies
CHW programs throughout the world vary in structure and emphasis. This literature review addresses the challenge of making connections among inputs, processes and outcomes of these diverse community programs. Completed as part of the USAID-funded project of the same name, it analyses 78 of the most useful documents on CHW programs with components of family planning and … [Read more...] about Increasing access to Family Planning (FP) and Reproductive Health (RH) services through task-sharing between CHWs and community mid-level professionals in large-scale public-sector programs: A Literature Review to Help Guide Case Studies
Shifting tasks to save lives: the example of AMREF-trained clinical officers in Southern Sudan
This brief report outlines AMREF’s experiences promoting task-shifting among health workers through integrating it into training of clinical officers in southern Sudan. After summarizing the challenges addressed, the policies introduced and the outcomes of the project, AMREF concludes that providing technical support and supportive supervision to the Government of Southern … [Read more...] about Shifting tasks to save lives: the example of AMREF-trained clinical officers in Southern Sudan
Community Health Worker Intervention to Decrease Cervical Cancer Disparities in Hispanic Women
This study presents the results of a randomized trial of a promotora-led education intervention focused on cervical caner in a local South Philadelphia Hispanic community. The findings suggest that CHWs can provide a novel and culturally-appropriate model for addressing racial and ethnic health disparities in underserved populations. … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Intervention to Decrease Cervical Cancer Disparities in Hispanic Women
Optimizing health worker roles to improve access to key maternal and newborn health interventions through task shifting: WHO recommendations
The World Health Organization’s recommendations on optimizing the roles of health workers aim to help address critical health workforce shortages that slow down progress towards the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A more rational distribution of tasks and responsibilities among cadres of health workers can significantly improve both access and … [Read more...] about Optimizing health worker roles to improve access to key maternal and newborn health interventions through task shifting: WHO recommendations