Authors: Christina A Laurenzi, Stephan Rabie, Sihle Mamutse, Sarah Skeen, Nicola Jansen van Vuuren, Rosanne Neethling, Sally Field, Simone Honikman
This study looked at how well community health workers (CHWs) in South Africa communicated with patients, focusing on empathic communication skills. Researchers used a tool called the Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors (ENACT) to measure these skills before and after a quality improvement program called Nyamekela4Care. They recorded 66 consultations in Afrikaans at two resource-limited sites and assessed 11 communication aspects. The results showed overall improvement in communication skills, particularly in verbal communication and responsiveness to clients. However, while self-confidence among CHWs decreased due to their uncertainty of employment, the changes in other communication aspects were positive. The study suggests that quality improvement programs can enhance empathic communication in healthcare settings, emphasizing the need for regular assessments of these skills, especially in low-resource areas.
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Resource Topic: CHW Role, Communication
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2024
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: South Africa
Publisher May Restrict Access: No