The role of community health workers on care teams

As reimbursement models evolve, healthcare organizations should consider the role community-based organizations can play in collaborative care teams when treating vulnerable populations, according to CMSA Today.

Community health workers can be assets to collaborative care teams treating patients who are economically disadvantaged, homeless, mentally ill, elderly, uninsured/underinsured, racial or ethnic minorities, or low-income children. Their focus is typically on patients with chronic conditions. Healthcare teams may find community health workers are valuable assets in setting goals for patients, assisting with appointment setting and transportation, creating community-clinical links, and providing social support, according to CMSA Today.

While community health workers do not provide clinical care, they can prove valuable in helping case managers and providers gain access to community services that for their patients. They are often trusted members of a community who can serve as the link a community needs to health/social services. Community health workers often work in public health organizations, clinics, hospitals, managed care, schools, and community organizations, according to CMSA Today.