Determining the Professional Development Needs Among

Community Health Workers in Ohio

Elijah Jones, MSW, LSW, C.CHW, CDCADepartment of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo

Melissa Thomas, PhD, MSPH, MSA, MCHES, C.CHWHaley Riegel, MPH, CHES

Office of Health Equity, OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute, Columbus, Ohio

Limited information regarding the professional development needs of CHWs.

Available literature supports the desire that CHWs have to continue to grow and learn, but does not address how and where CHWs grow professionally.

Background

Many of those practicing as community health workers are not certified and have limited to no opportunities for professional development, even though there is interest in such opportunities.

Hypothesis

To assess why CHWs have entered the field

To explore what type of educational background/training they have

To determine where CHWs are practicing and if they are certified

To determine the professional needs of CHWs

Study Focus

Participants completed a 27 item survey via Survey Monkey Disseminated through list serves, Ohio Board of

Nursing, and other emails. A total of 49 people responded.

Four Key Informant Interviews were conducted to supplement our current research and provide recommendations for continuing professional development of CHWs in Ohio.

Methods

Survey Results: Certification

Yes 75%

No 18%

* Nearly 41% identified as having another license or certification** As of January 22, 2015 there were 141 certified community health workers in the state of Ohio with one on probation and another with permanent restrictions.

Year of Birth of CHWs vs. Survey Responses

1936- 1946

1947- 1956

1957- 1966

1967- 1976

1977- 1986

1987 +

No re-sponse

25-34

35-44 45-5554-65 66+

Passion 32%

Promoting Health & Wellness 18%

Job Requirement 16%

Professional Development 8%

Just entering the field 8%

Other 4%

Reasons for Becoming a CHW

“I wanted to make a difference in the lives of community members and I felt my experiences would help connect communities to resources and information needed to improve their lives”.

“I saw the job posting and knew it was me”.

“To help promote health awareness in my community”.

“For professional development”.

“Job required it”

“Working in the filed when the certification became available”.

“I seen the ad in the paper and decided I can do this, and applied for the job”.

“I have a strong passion to care for, educate, advocate, and guiding people in regards to their health and overall well-being.

Selected Responses

Nonprofit 22%

Health Department 18%

Hospital 12%

N/A 12%

Other 6%

For-Profit 4%

Local Workforce 2%

Places and Status of Employment

Full time 57%

Part Time 8%

N/A or Other 8%

Self-employed 2%

Retired 2%

Educational Background

Graduate Degree 12%

Bachelors 8%

Associates 10%

Some College 6%

*49% did not provide a response

Bachelors 16%

Graduate Degree 12%

Healthy Pregnancy 25%

Social Services 18%

General Health & Wellness 15%

Other 14%

Infant Mortality 8%

Chronic Disease 6%

Minority Health 4%

Cancer 4%

Area of Practice

Continuing Education 50%

Increased Pay 31%

Promotion of the field/valuing CHWs

25%

Support as a Professional 25%

Top Professional Needs

Multiple Areas 25%

Specific Intervention 16%

Infant Mortality/Pregnancy & Maternal Health

6%

Continuing Education

*6% did not have a desire for more training in a specific area

“Marketing and promotion of health activities. Website development”.

“Geriatrics” “Medications” “Prenatal Care” “Infant Mortality” “Promotion and connecting with women with HIV/AIDS” “Mental Health and changes at Job and Family Services” “Infant mortality, violence” “Not sure” Vision training, Diabetes training” “Diabetic education” “Crisis management”

Selected Responses

Combination of Methods 41%

Other 10%

Web 8%

Web-based study 6%

Accessing Best Practice Information

*25% did not provide a response

“By attending various conferences/meetings with other professionals like myself”

“AHPA CHW Section emails and communication from other CHWs in other states”.

“Reading and Educating myself. Attending Workshops and Conferences”

“Trainings” “Network with other CHWs” “Through OCHWA”

Selected Responses for Accessing Best Practice Information

Yes 43%

No 37%

Member of a Professional Organization

OCHWA (Ohio Community Health Workers

Assocation) Member Yes 82%

No 14%

Other Professional Association

Member

Prior Knowledge of OCHWA

Yes 76%

No Response 20%

No 4%

“Training, direction to resources” “Standards” “More education” “Give me a job” “Just being there to answer any questions or concerns I may

have” “Educational material” “Keep me informed of the latest process and pathways that are

working for the public. How can I become a better professional? I want to hear from others for support. Thanks.”

“It depends on what services are offered” “Keep me informed of free training opportunities that care

CEUs. Conferences that allow for networking with other CHWs and like professionals”

How can a professional association support you as a professional?

Four interviews conducted between 6/23/15 – 9/22/15

Key Informant Interviews

Interview Age Gender Employment Status

1 50 Female Full-time

2 54 Female Full-time

3 63 Female Self-employed

4 28 Female Full-time

Key Informant Interviews Results

What are your professional challenges as a community health

Worker? “Our biggest challenge here

within this agency is pay grade”.

“Being seen as a credible profession by other professions”.

“I would say my first professional challenge is being recognized as a legitimate provider of care and services by other members of the social service end and health care field”.

What educational opportunities are most needed for community health workers in Ohio?

Responses Included:

Trainings in the following: Sex education, overall wellness, mental illness, suicidality, diabetes testing, and domestic violence.

Community health worker specific trainings

Bridge programs to more advance professions (i.e. Community Health Worker to LPN).

Continuing education was cited as the greatest professional need (50%), even higher than increased pay (31%). However, pay was citied as a professional challenge in the interviews.

Age and membership in a professional organization were not significantly associated with listing continuing education as a top professional need.

Results

This study confirms that although community health workers have interest and some access to continued professional development, little is tailored to their specific needs.

More specific training to meet the ongoing professional development of community health workers using various methods is needed to meet the needs of the work force.

Further investigation should consider the specific training for CHWs and the method of delivery.

Conclusions

Elijah Jones, MSW, LSW, C.CHW, CDCADepartment of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo

3000 Arlington Ave., Toledo, OH 43604elijahjones@gmail.com

Melissa Thomas, PhD, MSPH, MSA, MCHES, C.CHWHaley Riegel, MPH, CHES

Office of Health Equity OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute

3545 Olentangy River Rd., Suite 414, Columbus, Ohio 43214Melissa.thomas2@ohiohealth.com

Haley.Riegel@ohihealth.com

Contact Information