Clinic-Based Community Health Worker Integration: Community Health Workers', Employers', and Patients' Perceptions of Readiness

Abstract

Clinic-based community health workers (cCHWs) are a growing workforce who can facilitate medical and social support services, particularly for patients with complex, chronic conditions. We assessed CHWs', employers', and patients' perceptions and readiness for CHW integration into clinical settings. We found varying levels of readiness between the groups, offset by conditional implementation concerns, such as need for clearer training, role delineation, expectations, and trust. Integrating CHWs as members of the complex care team holds promise for optimal patient engagement. Maximizing CHWs' potentials through readiness efforts can further support the triple/quadruple aims and goals for the Health Home Program.