Peers for Progress e-News                         September 27, 2012
Reflecting on Summer Successes
With the start of fall, Peers for Progress is proud to look back on the successes of its projects during the summer. As part of our continuing commitment to encourage young researchers in peer support and to strengthen our collaboration with network members in Southeast Asia, PfP sponsored two masters students to conduct a qualitative study on Village Health Volunteers in Thailand. In August, PfP was pleased to join in the launch of Mi Salud Es Primero at Alivio Medical Center in Chicago.

As you read through this issue, please consider sharing your feedback to help us improve the quality of the PfP newsletter. Take this quick, 6 question survey to let us know what you think.
Program Spotlight
UNC Masters Students Conduct A Qualitative Study on Village Health Volunteers in Thailand

This summer, masters students at the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Sarah Kowitt and Dane Emmerling, traveled to Thailand to conduct a qualitative research study on how Village Health Volunteers provided peer support and what factors influenced the manner in which they provided support. In this article, Sarah and Dane share the key lessons learned from their experience on one of the oldest and most established community health worker programs in the world. [Read more
]


Alivio Medical Center Launches Community-based Peer Support Program for People Living with Diabetes

Mi Salud Es Primero, My Health Comes First is Alivio Medical Center's new peer support program in which peer supporters (Compañeros en Salud) are integrated with primary care to help patients improve self-management of their diabetes. In close coordination with the primary care clinical team, the compañeros will provide support and assist individuals as they put into place the plans set forth with their care team for managing diabetes in their day-to-day lives.

The project is a collaboration of Alivio with the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and its Peers for Progress program, TransforMED and NCLR (National Council of La Raza). The three-year project is made possible by a grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation as part of its Together on Diabetes® program to reduce disparities in diabetes across the United States. [Read the Press Release] 
Program Resources
Catholic Relief Services Guide to Working with Volunteers
Catholic Relief Services has published this guide to harmonize the agency’s approach to working with volunteers that may have titles such as community health worker, health promoter, village health worker, peer educator, etc. This document provides standardized guidance on working with volunteers around the world to improve their wellbeing and performance. 

Research Briefs 

Developing Community Health Worker Diabetes Training
The researchers of this study designed, implemented and evaluated a 48-hour training program for community health workers (CHWs) deployed to diabetes care teams in community health centers (CHCs). There were statistically significant increases in the scores of CHWs' self-reported knowledge in 8 of 15 curricular domains. Qualitative analysis revealed that CHWs preferred skill-based and case-based teaching, shorter training days but more contact hours. CHWs reported that pre-deployment training alone is insufficient for successful integration into care teams. CHW supervisors reported that CHC's readiness to accept CHWs as members of the care team was as important to successful deployment as training.[Full abstract


Performance of Community Health Workers Under Integrated Community Case Management of Childhood Illnesses in Eastern Uganda
This study compared the performance of CHWs managing malaria and pneumonia with performance of CHWs managing malaria alone in eastern Uganda and the factors influencing performance. A mixed methods study was conducted among 125 CHWs providing either dual malaria and pneumonia management or malaria management alone for children aged four to 59 months. The factors perceived to influence CHWs' performance were: community support and confidence, continued training, availability of drugs and other necessary supplies, and cooperation from formal health workers. CHWs providing dual-illness management handled malaria cases as well as CHWs providing single-illness management, and also performed reasonably well in the management of pneumonia. [Full Abstract

 

Cost-effectiveness of the Community-based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition by Community Health Workers in Southern Bangladesh

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of adding the community-based management of severe acute malnutrition (CMAM) to a community-based health and nutrition program delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in southern Bangladesh. The community-based strategy cost US$26 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted, compared with US$1344 per DALY averted for inpatient treatment. The average cost to participant households for their child to recover from SAM in community treatment was one-sixth that of inpatient treatment. These results suggest that this model of treatment for SAM is highly cost-effective and that CHWs, given adequate supervision and training, can be employed effectively to expand access to treatment for SAM in Bangladesh. [Full Abstract]

 

 

Back to top

Funding Opportunities

NIH Grant: Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, Diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Disease in Military Populations

DEADLINE: October 15, 2012
The intent of this FOA is to encourage research on prevention and treatment of obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease in military personnel and their families. Research in response to this FOA can include active duty, retirees, and/or their dependents/family members.  Former active duty members with only Veterans Administration benefits, while an important population for study, are not the focus of this FOA. The unique characteristics of the military healthcare system and of military bases provide a rich environment for testing interventions and tracking outcomes. [More Info]

Aetna Foundation Integrated Health Care Grant


DEADLINE: November 15, 2012
The Aetna Foundation seeks to support projects that promote evidence-based models of care coordination that can lead to high-quality, patient-centered health care services, improve health outcomes and lower costs. Our goal is to demonstrate the key components, best practices and benefits of care coordination that is centered on strong primary care. [More Info]

 
More opportunities can be found on the Peers for Progress website - Funding Opportunities page.
     
Back to top

IN THIS ISSUE

Program Spotlight

Program Resources

Research Briefs

Funding Opportunities

Meetings and Events

  Please forward this e-newsletter to an interested colleague 
FEATURES

UNC Masters Students Conduct a Qualitative Study on Village Health Workers in Thailand

PfP Alivio Medical Cneter Launches Community-based Peer Support Program for Peapople Living with Diabetes

Catholic Relief Services Guide to Working with Volunteers

MEETINGS & EVENTS   
PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM ASSISTANCE

Do you:

  • Need help connecting with other programs?
  • Want to share your updates with other programs?
  • Need assistance with Peers for Progress Web Site?

Please contact PeersforProgress@aafp.org

QUICK LINKS
Peers for Progress
Join Our mailing list
News Archive

Sharing Center 

  

  

CONTACT DETAILS

Peers for Progress               11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway                 
Leawood, KS  66211
PeersforProgress@aafp.org 

http://www.peersforprogress.org