Cross-Training Pharmacy Professionals as Community Health Workers

Abstract

Community health workers (CHWs) are health professionals that connect the populations they serve to health services. They play a valuable role in assessing patients’ needs, linking patients with health and human resources, educating patients toward achieving optimal health, and advocating for their patients to have accessible resources to improve their health and wellbeing. Pharmacies are readily accessible and frequently utilized health locations that could employ CHWs. We describe a program to cross-train pharmacy professionals as CHWs. Pharmacy professionals were recruited to sign up for a 13-week CHW core competencies course that was offered in partnership with the state university Continuing Education Workforce Training. From March 2022 to June 2023, 23 pharmacy professionals completed the course. Post-course and program evaluations were completed by 10 participants, and they showed positive responses to their participation in the program. Participants appreciated learning the role of a CHW, and noted increased skills, and awareness of additional tools and resources. Participants reported 47 referrals to chronic disease programs and community resources. The program pilot results show successful partnerships for cross-training pharmacy professionals as CHWs. Cross-trained pharmacy professionals provide benefits to the communities they serve, by being a valuable resource for their patients.