Health educators in HMOs: a study of utilization and effectiveness

This study examined the status of health educators in Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Specifically, the investigation described the utilization of health education personnel in HMOs, the way in which health education services were provided, and the effectiveness of health educators in HMOs as perceived by HMO administrators. Data from a national study showed that health educators were employed by all HMO types except Independent Practice Associations. Health education services tended to be provided in-house rather than through contractual services. HMO administrators were generally favorable toward the presence of health educators in their organizations and were satisfied with their performances, believing that they were cost effective and well educated for their position. The belief that health educators could be better utilized if they possessed additional skills apparently existed.