Community Health Workers (CHWs) are becoming an important part of the MaineHealth system. Their work is helping patients stay engaged in their care and improving health outcomes. Using data from 2024 and patient feedback, this illustration shows how CHWs are making a positive difference for patients, care teams, and local communities. … [Read more...] about Community Health Workers: Putting “Community” in the MaineHealth Vision
Are Economic Evaluations of Task Shifting Too Narrow in Focus? A Rapid Review
This study reviewed research from 2014 to 2024 on the costs and benefits of task shifting, where health tasks are moved from highly trained workers to others like community health workers, to help address staff shortages. While most studies looked at health costs and outcomes, many failed to consider other important effects like staff workload, access to care, waiting times, … [Read more...] about Are Economic Evaluations of Task Shifting Too Narrow in Focus? A Rapid Review
Timeliness of malaria treatment in children under five years in Uganda: an analysis of 2016 demographic health survey data
This study looked at what affects how quickly children under five in Uganda receive malaria treatment. Using data from over 4,000 children, it found that 41% of them got treatment later than the recommended 24 hours after symptoms started. Children received treatment faster when both parents made health decisions together, when care was sought from community health workers … [Read more...] about Timeliness of malaria treatment in children under five years in Uganda: an analysis of 2016 demographic health survey data
Solving area-based problems through intellectual empowerment: a model for developing village health volunteers’ and public health officials’ competencies in producing academic work
This study aimed to improve the ability of village health volunteers (VHVs) and public health officers in Thailand to create useful academic work that can help solve local health problems. A new model, called the 5Ps (Policy, Preparation, Practice, Publication, and Positive reinforcement), was developed and tested. After using the model, both VHVs and health officers showed … [Read more...] about Solving area-based problems through intellectual empowerment: a model for developing village health volunteers’ and public health officials’ competencies in producing academic work
In depth exploration of drivers of community health workers’ performance in maternal and child health services: a multistakeholder perspective from rural Indian setting
This study looked at what affects how well community health workers (CHWs) in rural Central India do their jobs in maternal and child health. Interviews and group discussions with CHWs and their supervisors showed that their performance is shaped by three main factors: community context (like transport and local attitudes), health system issues (like irregular pay and lack of … [Read more...] about In depth exploration of drivers of community health workers’ performance in maternal and child health services: a multistakeholder perspective from rural Indian setting