title: Clinical community health workers: linchpin of the medical home.
abstract: The emerging clinical community health worker model integrates community health workers as integral members of primary care teams inside a medical home. This evaluation documents the case management services provided by 2 clinical community health worker programs at La Clínica del Cariño in Hood River, Oregon, and how they affected the care team's ability to deliver efficient, effective primary care. Clinical community health workers have the potential to make a significant impact on clinical efficiency and effectiveness as ambulatory primary care clinics strive to transform into high-quality, patient-centered medical homes and become linchpins in accountable care organizations.
authors.affiliation: Benton County Health Services, Corvallis, Oregon 97330, USA. Kelly.volkmann@co.benton.or.us
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Volkmann
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Castañares
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009922:Oregon; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012944:Social Support