Integration of Community Health Workers Into Palliative Care Teams: Challenges, Barriers, Facilitators, and Implementation Strategies

Authors: Angela Kroeze Visser, Sabina Kupershmidt, DenYelle B Kenyon, Susan Puumala, Anne Pithan

In rural South Dakota, where palliative care specialists are limited, regular healthcare providers often deliver end-of-life care. To improve this care, efforts are underway to educate providers and explore new ways to expand services. One idea is to involve Community Health Workers (CHWs) in palliative care teams. This study looked at the challenges and opportunities of doing so, based on feedback from care providers and advocates. The findings helped identify strategies to successfully include CHWs in palliative care in South Dakota.