Empowering the Latino Community Related to Palliative Care and Chronic Disease Management through <i>Promotores de Salud</i> (Community Health Workers).

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States and when compared with non-Latino whites suffer from higher rates of certain chronic diseases. Latino community health workers (<i>promotores de salud</i>) are successful in improving the health of their communities. However, evidence of their effectiveness in increasing awareness of palliative care (PC) is limited. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To evaluate the feasibility of applying a <i>promotores de salud</i> model to improve PC awareness among Latinos within the context of chronic disease management. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Bilingual <i>promotores</i> from <i>Familias en Acc</i>i<i>ón</i> trained 76 southern California <i>promotores</i> on PC and chronic disease management. <i>Promotores</i> agreed to disseminate the information learned to 10+ Latino community members. The strengths of the curriculum and the community's needs were identified during phone interviews six months post-training. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In 406 diverse settings, 69 <i>promotores</i> trained 2734 community members. Interviews with promotores at follow-up established four themes: (1) holistic health in chronic disease management; (2) communication with doctors; (3) shared decision making, patients' rights, and control; and (4) need for PC information (awareness, access, and support groups). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b><i>Promotores</i> proved effective at disseminating information related to PC within chronic disease management to Latino community members. Future training should include information on support groups and where caregivers can seek help while caring for those with a terminal disease.