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Diabetes training for community health workers on an American Indian reservation
Author(s) -
Policicchio Judith M.,
Dontje Katherine
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12370
Subject(s) - medicine , community health , nursing , diabetes mellitus , public health , family medicine , gerontology , endocrinology
Objectives To improve the knowledge and skills of community health workers ( CHW s) on an American Indian ( AI ) Reservation related to the management of diabetes to allow CHW s, with no prior formal diabetes education to work more effectively with individuals in the community with diabetes. Training was provided in six “face‐to‐face” sessions with the CHW s using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CHW Training Resource on Heart Disease and Stroke. Design and Sample This is a quality improvement program guided by the Model for Improvement: Plan, Do, Study, Act and using a pre‐post evaluation design. Ten AI CHW s were recruited for the training. Measures Knowledge and attitudes, participation rates, and participant satisfaction were measured. Results Knowledge increased overall with largest changes in diabetes, depression and cholesterol. Diabetes attitudes were high and consistent with those found in caregivers who support patient‐centered care. Participants reported learning, liking the class, and finding the materials helpful. Conclusion This QI program provided by a public health nurse improved CHW 's knowledge of diabetes and the management of diabetes. Next steps include formalizing the Reservation's CHW training program, expanding this training to other AI Health Service areas, and measuring the impact of CHW s in the community.