‘I Certainly Wasn’t As Patient-Centred’: Impacts and Potentials of Cross-Training Paramedics as Community Health Workers



Authors: Ryan I. Logan
Year: 2022
State: NatDoc: National Document
Website link: https://nachw.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/I_Certainly_Wasnt_as_Patient-Centred_Impacts_an.pdf
Publicly Available: Yes
Certification: CHW role scope of practice, Competencies, General other, Specialty tracks and supervisor training
Evidence Generation: Documentation of how CHWs can work within care teams, Evidence-based interventions
Sustainable Financing: How to engage and work with Medicaid, Reimbursement TA for FQHCs Medicaid etc., Documentation of how CHWs can work within care teams, Evidence-based interventions

This article explores how a group of paramedics were cross-trained as community health workers (CHWs) in Indiana. Cross-training paramedics as CHWs provided a foundation to better understand the social issues that occur outside of the hospital and clinic, thereby enabling further empathy among paramedics and seeking means to connect patients to other health and social services agencies. I detail how earning a certification as a CHW shifted the mindset of the paramedics and their approach toward caregiving. Ultimately, I argue how cross-training healthcare professionals can further expand the general awareness of CHWs and possible opportunities for employment. However, steps must be taken to ensure that reducing the CHW model to a cross-training opportunity will not minimize the impacts of hiring a full-time CHW.



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