Enhancing Community Health Worker Communication: Evaluating Simulation-Based Training in Motivational Interviewing

Authors: Rebekah Chance-Revels, Quyen Phan, Kevin Crawford, Laika Steiger & Beth Ann Swan

This study looked at whether simulation-based training could improve community health workers’ communication skills. A total of 277 trainees took part in a one-day session using lessons and realistic role-play on topics such as vaccine confidence, smoking, and childhood obesity. After the training, workers felt more confident talking with people who had different views, using motivational interviewing techniques, and responding to health misinformation in culturally appropriate ways. The study suggests that realistic practice and feedback can help community health workers communicate better and support healthy behavior change, although more practice and longer-term evaluation are needed.