What Is It Like to Experience Improved Care Coordination Through a Community Outreach Program? A Qualitative, Descriptive Study

摘要

Community-based programs deploying community health workers (CHWs) who collaborate with other entities are beginning to emerge as the US health system evolves. Although these programs have used various evaluation criteria to determine program success, little research has been completed to examine the experiences of program participants as they receive these services. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe what it was like to experience the benefit of improved care coordination through a community-based program featuring CHWs, in collaboration with community-based interprofessional providers. Knowing the help I needed emerged as the overarching theme.