Health providers would benefit from using CHWs, especially considering the international evidence that supports it. In the US, CHWs have become pivotal in connecting undeserved communities to health and social service structures (Spencer, et al., 2010). Like NZ, reducing health inequities is a national priority for the US, which calls for approaches to target social determinants of health. CHW initiatives have been arising as an encouraging intervention in health care contexts (Spencer, et al., 2010). Research illustrates that CHWs are crucial in enhancing the quality of care for ongoing LTC self-management (Anthony, Gowler, Hirsch, & Wilkinson, 2009). In response to the increasing rates of LTCs such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes in
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Accomplishments of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing disease management show that CHWs working in collaboration with other health professionals can generate beneficial health outcomes (Wennerstrom, et al., 2015). One particularly strong study involving a randomised controlled trial enabled direct comparisons to be made between different types of diabetes management interventions (Gary, et al., 2003). Results indicated that the combined CHW and nurse case manager (mobile nurse) intervention generated greater positive effects than individual CHW and nurse interventions alone. Specifically, combined efforts produced a statistically significant decline in blood pressure, blood glucose from baseline and triglycerides (Gary, et al., 2003). The implication of these results for the kaupapa Māori mobile nurse initiative is that the nurse will benefit from the addition of a Kaiāwhina. In addition, research on the inclusive management of heart disease by nurse/CHW teams particularly among minority groups also provides proof around the effectiveness of CHW/nurse teams (Allen, Himmelfarb, Szanton & Frick, 2014). Specifically, the study provides evidence that an outreach nurse team that includes a CHW is an effective intervention. As discussed previously, CHWs play a central role in these teams, acting as a culturally competent health broker and health educator for patients with …show more content…
In addition to improving health care quality for vulnerable groups, CHWs can also help decrease health system costs by connecting whānau with LTCs to social services and engaging them in self-management efforts to prevent disease complications and hence avoid unnecessary acute hospital admissions (Centers for Disease Control, 2011). The utilisation of CHWs at the Children’s Hospital Boston witnessed a marked reduction of asthma-related acute hospitalisation by over 60% (Kimball, 2015). This was similarly documented by a Baltimore program showing substantial decreases in emergency room visits (38%) and hospitalisation (30%) for diabetes patients matched with CHWs. It was proposed that the decreases translated into a 27% reduction in medical costs for patients in the US health system (Goodwin & Tobler, 2008). Likewise, the pairing of a CHW and a nurse practitioner working together to manage heart disease illustrated approximately a $150 reduction in patient cost per 1% decrease in systolic blood pressure and a $190 reduction for diastolic blood pressure (Centers for Disease Control, 2011). This means that a Māori CHW will likely improve the efficiency of chronic disease management if added to the mobile nursing
Accomplishments of multidisciplinary teams in enhancing disease management show that CHWs working in collaboration with other health professionals can generate beneficial health outcomes (Wennerstrom, et al., 2015). One particularly strong study involving a randomised controlled trial enabled direct comparisons to be made between different types of diabetes management interventions (Gary, et al., 2003). Results indicated that the combined CHW and nurse case manager (mobile nurse) intervention generated greater positive effects than individual CHW and nurse interventions alone. Specifically, combined efforts produced a statistically significant decline in blood pressure, blood glucose from baseline and triglycerides (Gary, et al., 2003). The implication of these results for the kaupapa Māori mobile nurse initiative is that the nurse will benefit from the addition of a Kaiāwhina. In addition, research on the inclusive management of heart disease by nurse/CHW teams particularly among minority groups also provides proof around the effectiveness of CHW/nurse teams (Allen, Himmelfarb, Szanton & Frick, 2014). Specifically, the study provides evidence that an outreach nurse team that includes a CHW is an effective intervention. As discussed previously, CHWs play a central role in these teams, acting as a culturally competent health broker and health educator for patients with …show more content…
In addition to improving health care quality for vulnerable groups, CHWs can also help decrease health system costs by connecting whānau with LTCs to social services and engaging them in self-management efforts to prevent disease complications and hence avoid unnecessary acute hospital admissions (Centers for Disease Control, 2011). The utilisation of CHWs at the Children’s Hospital Boston witnessed a marked reduction of asthma-related acute hospitalisation by over 60% (Kimball, 2015). This was similarly documented by a Baltimore program showing substantial decreases in emergency room visits (38%) and hospitalisation (30%) for diabetes patients matched with CHWs. It was proposed that the decreases translated into a 27% reduction in medical costs for patients in the US health system (Goodwin & Tobler, 2008). Likewise, the pairing of a CHW and a nurse practitioner working together to manage heart disease illustrated approximately a $150 reduction in patient cost per 1% decrease in systolic blood pressure and a $190 reduction for diastolic blood pressure (Centers for Disease Control, 2011). This means that a Māori CHW will likely improve the efficiency of chronic disease management if added to the mobile nursing