Non-Randomized Pre-Post Testing to Evaluate Knowledge of Community Health Workers on Chronic Diseases After...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Education
• Virtual Learning

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to virtual training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) due to increased demand and restrictions on in-person gatherings.
• Synchronous virtual training became standard for initial CHW education, highlighting a need for continuous, accessible professional development.
• This study investigates the efficacy of asynchronous online continuing education for CHWs focusing on chronic disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an asynchronous online training module for Community Health Workers (CHWs) on chronic diseases.
• To assess knowledge improvement in CHWs after completing online modules for hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes.
• To determine the feasibility and impact of self-paced virtual continuing education for CHWs.

Main Methods:

• A convenient sample of CHWs in Maryland received information about online chronic disease training via the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) network.
• Pre- and post-tests were administered to evaluate knowledge gain from asynchronous online training modules.
• The training modules, adapted from earlier synchronous virtual sessions, were accessible to CHWs from March 31st to June 20th, 2025.

Main Results:

• Average pre-test scores were 78.8% (hypertension), 80% (cholesterol), and 82% (diabetes).
• Average post-test scores across all modules significantly improved, reaching 89.9%.
• No significant difference was found between pre-test scores for the individual chronic disease modules.

Conclusions:

• Asynchronous virtual training effectively enhances CHW knowledge of chronic diseases, supporting ongoing professional development.
• Online, self-paced learning allows CHWs to improve their skills without the need for travel, increasing accessibility to continuing education.
• This approach addresses the need for continuous CHW training in a flexible format, ultimately benefiting client care and health outcomes.