Take time to listen: community health worker perceptions on self-management trainer role

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effectiveness of self-management training with emphasis on trainer traits. Twenty-two community health workers (CHWs) participated in a two week-long self-management training program. Twenty were interviewed a week later to examine their perceptions of the training and the trainer. Participants expressed satisfaction with the training and highlighted four themes around how trainers must play a transformational role grounded in cultural humility: intentional relationship building, commitment to ongoing learning and transfer of knowledge, participatory engagement, and empowerment. CHW self-management trainers who are culturally attuned with participants’ backgrounds stand a better chance of conducting training that is sensitive to the needs of CHWs and their clients.

KEYWORDS:

• Trainer role
• self-management
• relationship building
• community health worker
• rural
• South Africa

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to community health workers for their support in participating in the study and sharing their thoughts and experiences about the self-management training. They also greatly value the support of administrators at the two community organizations working with CHWs in South Africa for coordinating meetings with community health workers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the University of Missouri South Africa Education Program.