Project ECHO Brain Health: Assessing the Impact of a Pilot Program to Promote Self-Efficacy Among Community Health...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Community Health Worker Training

Background:

• Dementia prevalence and brain health awareness are critical issues in underserved communities.
• Latinx populations face unique challenges in accessing dementia care and brain health resources.
• Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital in bridging healthcare gaps and promoting health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Project ECHO Brain Health program on CHW self-efficacy.
• To assess CHW readiness to address dementia, promote brain health, and advocate for research.
• To understand the program's influence on CHWs serving Latinx communities in South Texas.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods explanatory sequential design.
• Quantitative pre- and post-program surveys administered to 25 CHWs.
• Qualitative individual interviews conducted with 13 participating CHWs.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant increase in mean self-efficacy scores post-program.
• Qualitative themes identified: addressing training needs, impact on CHW practice, and community of learning.
• Program demonstrated positive effects on CHWs' ability to manage dementia-related issues.

Conclusions:

• Project ECHO Brain Health is an effective intervention for enhancing CHW self-efficacy.
• The program equips CHWs to better serve their communities regarding brain health and dementia.
• Findings support the program's role in empowering CHWs to advocate for research and improved care.