Examining global Indigenous community wellness worker models: a rapid review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Growing interest in community wellness worker models for Indigenous populations to address healthcare inequities.
• Need to address shortages in health and mental health resources and the burden of chronic diseases.
• Lack of comprehensive reviews on Indigenous community wellness worker models globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline characteristics of global Indigenous community wellness worker models.
• To identify factors influencing implementation challenges and successes.
• To provide a foundation for future research and program development.

Main Methods:

• Rapid review of international peer-reviewed and grey literature (January-June 2022).
• Searched OVID Medline, Global Index Medicus, Google, and Google Scholar for relevant models.
• Data extraction and synthesis using descriptive and pattern coding.

Main Results:

• Identified four key themes: worker roles/responsibilities, training/education/experience, decolonized approaches, and structural supports.
• Examined 20 academic and 8 grey literature articles.
• Highlighted the interconnected nature of these themes in model effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Community wellness worker models offer a promising approach to meet mental wellness needs in Indigenous communities worldwide.
• These workers act as vital links between communities and mainstream services, leveraging cultural knowledge.
• Challenges such as power imbalances and lack of role clarity persist, requiring innovative solutions.