Evaluating a 30-Hour Training Program for Community Health Workers on 4Ms Implementation in FQHCs Using the...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Health Professions Education
• Primary Care

Background:

• Community health care workers (CHWs) play a vital role in geriatric care within primary care settings.
• Effective training programs are crucial for enhancing CHW knowledge and skills in managing older adults.
• Implementing standardized geriatric assessments like the 4Ms (What Matters, Mentation, Medication, Mobility) is essential for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 30-hour educational program for CHWs focused on geriatric care.
• To measure the impact of the training on CHW knowledge, intended application of learned skills, and the baseline performance of geriatric screenings.
• To assess the implementation of the 4Ms discussion in clinical practice by CHWs.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post design evaluation of a 30-hour in-person educational program involving 12 CHWs from two federally qualified health centers.
• Utilized the Kirkpatrick model for program evaluation, incorporating quantitative (surveys, chart reviews) and qualitative (focus groups, open-ended survey questions) data collection.
• Assessed knowledge improvement via pre- and post-training exams and measured clinical implementation through chart reviews of 4Ms discussions.

Main Results:

• The training significantly improved CHW perceived knowledge and content retention, with high satisfaction ratings (98% excellent for training, 96% for speakers).
• 83% of CHWs intended to apply the training in their practice.
• Approximately 40% of chart reviews indicated completion of the 4Ms discussion, leading to organizational adaptation such as the development of an EHR intake form for documenting the 4Ms.

Conclusions:

• The educational program demonstrated success in enhancing CHW knowledge and skills in geriatric care.
• The training facilitated wider organizational adaptation, evidenced by the integration of 4Ms documentation into the EHR.
• The study highlights the effectiveness of targeted education in improving geriatric care delivery by CHWs.