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Common Ethos Of Community Health Workers

Decent Essays

Assignment Two (FULL)
“To fully serve the people and community”, this will be the common ethos of Community Health Workers (CHWs) anywhere in the world, including New Zealand (NZ). This paper will be structured into 3 main parts, starting with the work scope of CHWs. This will include their diverse roles and responsibilities, where they work, who they work with and how they carry out their work obligations. Secondly, the key health issues of the population that they address will be explored. Lastly, emphasis will be put on their pivotal towards a more integrated health system.
World Health Organisation (WHO, 2007) defines CHWs as members of the community, chosen and trusted by the community to serve the community, and their actions need to be accountable to the community on their close understanding of the community. Their training is shorter than professionals and their work is reinforced by the health system. In NZ, CHWs, either voluntary or paid, are more culture-based and are fundamental in providing primary health services to the Māori. Generally, CHWs promotes whanaugatanga (community connection), linking the community to the services they are not aware of. They assist with scheduling appointments, arranging transport and referring to specialists when their people are not prioritising health and well-being. They sometimes accompany their people to appointments to improve health literacies by interpreting the information given by doctors (Forrest, Neuwelt, Gotty &

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