title: Integrating Community Health Workers Into Primary Care to Support Behavioral Health Service Delivery: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Community health workers (CHWs) collaborating with health care teams improve health outcomes. The feasibility of employing CHWs to support behavioral health in primary care is unknown. We offered experienced CHWs a 48-hour behavioral health training and placed them at health centers. Supervisors received technical assistance to support integration. We interviewed team members to explore CHW interactions with patients and team members. There was evidence of CHW integration. Major CHW roles included care coordination, outreach, and screening. It may be feasible to integrate behavioral health-focused CHWs into primary care settings. Both CHWs and supervisors need ongoing training and support.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, Tulane School of Medicine and Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana (Dr. Wennerstrom); Texas AHEC East, Coastal Region, Lamarque, Texas (Mss Hargrove and Minor); Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (Ms Kirkland); and Texas AHEC East, Office of the Provost, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (Mr Shelton).
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wennerstrom
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hargrove
authors.forename: Shontel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minor
authors.forename: Angela L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kirkland
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D003150:Community Health Workers; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D024382:Professional Role; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce