Background/PurposeChronically ill individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been extensively challenged by the complexities of disease management. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Although clinically integrated community health worker (cCHW) support interventions have been increasingly implemented to help manage CVDs, a comprehensive analysis of interventions implemented in real-world settings is lacking. The purpose of this study was to observe and evaluate a cCHW support intervention in a real clinical setting serving adults with CVD using an implementation science perspective, guided by the PRISM Framework.
MethodsGuided by the PRISM framework, this study comprehensively evaluated the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance, and contextual influences of a Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP) program, which integrates cCHWs to clinical teams support chronic care management of individuals with CVD. Effectiveness was primarily evaluated by measuring the change in disease self-management skill over 3 months in a pilot sample of 25 patients (Aim 2), considering health literacy of the participants. Additionally, qualitative interviews were conducted to examine effectiveness and program engagement further. All adult (>18 years) SMBP patients who could understand consent in English were recruited from clinic visits and program database and included in the study. Focus group interviews (n =7)were conducted to explore outcomes by PRISM domains among clinical staff and leaders (n=9)], as well as cCHWs (n = 7) -RE-AIM related outcomes (Aim 1) and contextual influences (Aim 3). 9
ResultsThough cCHWs were found to provide tailored and holistic care support and enhanced patient education and navigation, they had limited reach to patients who could benefit from their support services. Additionally, no significant improvement in disease self-management was observed over 3 months. Patients also experienced a statistically significant mean increase in health literacy scores. An improvement in health literacy as demonstrated by a 1.35 score increase was observed among patients in the 3-month period (p = .015) No statistically significant differences in scores were observed by race, ethnicity, while differences in scores by gender were observed. No correlations were found between scores and age or education level.Although the SMBP program as designed has structures in place to increase program accessibility to patients and limit program attrition, limited knowledge and difficult integration of the cCHW role among patients and clinical staff challenged patient engagement with the program, and therefore program implementation, adoption among key groups, and maintenance of findings.
Conclusion & ImplicationscCHW programs have demonstrated some evidence in improving health outcomes in individuals with CVD. However, implementation-related challenges must be addressed to improve clinical integration strategies for cCHWs, program delivery, and outcomes in real world-set...