Table 2 Characteristics and findings of included studies

Carroll et al. (2007)

Boston and San Francisco, USA

Randomized controlled trial among older adults admitted for myocardial infarction (n = 93) or coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 154). Primary outcomes were rehospitalization and participation in a rehab program over 12 months.

Post-discharge, treatment group received home visit within 72 h of discharge and calls at 2, 6 and 12 weeks from advanced practitioner nurse. A peer advisor also made weekly calls for 12 weeks and were available for additional support by phone.

Intervention group had significantly higher overall participation in cardiac rehabilitation at 3, 6 and 12 months (p < .05), though increases in use over time was not significantly different between groups. Intervention group also had less hospitalizations at 3 and 6 months, though not statistically significant.

Crane-Okada et al. (2012)

California, USA

Randomized controlled trial among women > 50 years of age newly diagnosed and scheduled for surgery for stage 0–3 breast cancer (n = 142). Primary outcomes were psychosocial after 6 months.

3 post-surgical intervention groups with peer counselor telephone calls: Group 1—once per week for 5 weeks beginning 72 h post-surgery (immediate care); Group 2—once per week for 5 weeks beginning at 6-week post-surgery (delayed care); Group 3—by request (usual care).

Intervention (immediate or delayed) not associated with changes in perceived social support or anxious mood. Intervention was significantly associated with increased use of coping through seeking instrumental support (p < 0.05). Group without peer counseling had larger decrease over time of this coping strategy.

Hendren et al. (2011)

Rochester, USA

Descriptive qualitative study among newly diagnosed breast and colorectal patients (n = 103). Primary outcomes were need for patient navigation and navigation time spent by community health workers according to barriers to care.

CHWs worked as patient navigators to help with appointment reminders, coordinate care, insurance, logistical and social support, communication coaching, etc.

The most significant barriers to care were problems with medical communication, lack of social support, and medical insurance concerns. Higher need for patient navigation as measured by longer patient navigation times was associated with minority race/ethnicity, unemployment, and unmarried status.

Ivers et al. (2019)

New South Wales, Australia

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews on the acceptability and accessibility of a pilot study for cancer care services with Aboriginal people with a cancer diagnosis or caring for someone with a cancer diagnosis (n = 79).

Multidisciplinary cancer care team (CCT) included an Aboriginal community health worker, counselor, nurse, and general practitioner to provide care coordination of every step from diagnosis, treatment, to post-op, including palliative care and grief support.

Most participants said the CCT improved access to care including adherence to clinic appointments, highly valued counseling and social support services, and that it was culturally appropriate.

Matousek et al. (2017)

Rural Haiti

Pre–post intervention study of a patient navigation intervention among rural Haitian communities served by Hospital Albert Schweitzer. Primary outcome was rate of elective surgery and signs and symptoms of surgical site infections.

Intervention involved two types of patient navigators—“community” navigators identified surgical patients, helped to navigate care, and 3 home visits within 1 month of discharge to evaluate for surgical site infections; “facility” navigators received patients at the hospital and navigate facility-based care.

Post patient navigation intervention, elective surgical operations significantly increased (1.92-fold increase, p = .017).

Matousek et al. (2015)

Rural Haiti

Descriptive pilot study of CHW program for post-operative home visits to detect surgical site infections (SSI) for 39 patients. Primary outcomes were on-time home visits, quality of SSI photographs, and agreement between surgeons and CHW on diagnosis.

5 CHWs conducted home visits to surgical patients within 30 days of discharge and took photographs of potential SSI using a smartphone application.

CHWs completed 95% of home visits and 92% of home visits on time. Using the application, CHWs took 117 photographs of potential SSI, of which 86% were deemed high quality. There was high agreement between surgeons and CHWs on diagnosis of SSI (85%).

Crane-Okada et al. (2010)

Santa Monica, USA

Qualitative study of the development and implementation of a CHW training program for breast cancer-specific topics, designed to support breast cancer survivors age 50 and older following breast cancer surgery. Primary outcomes were feasibility and efficacy of course including patient and participant satisfaction.

Volunteer CHW completed 10-week training course with content on breast cancer diagnosis, treatment options, psychosocial issues, resources specific to BCS, health information privacy, and mental health confidentiality.

High patient satisfaction and feedback reviews. Peer counselors also described experience as positive. Healthcare providers may benefit from learning how to best to utilize their volunteers' strengths and time, so that both are used most effectively.

Ennion et al. (2016)

KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Qualitative study of persons with a lower limb amputation and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) involved in prosthesis care. Primary outcomes were challenges of prosthesis care, referral patterns for pts who ultimately needed amputation, and defined roles for MTD members.

MDTs consist of surgeon, therapists, social worker, and prosthetists

Baseline interviews were done with 3 prosthesis patients to establish existing challenges prosthesis care from patient perspective. Group discussions and semi-structured interviews were completed with other MDT members to identify challenges from care-giving perspective.

Patients are easily lost to care during process of undergoing amputation and receiving prosthesis. MDTs involved in prosthesis are often overwhelmed. Community CHWs may assist with relieving this workload but have unclearly defined roles and responsibilities. An interdisciplinary team with clearly defined roles may improve care.

Marais et al. (2005)

Western Cape, South Africa

Descriptive study of injuries occurring on selected farms within one year period, both occupational and other, needing some form of treatment. Primary outcomes were to describe the nature, extent, sources of injury, and to explore use of lay health workers (LHW) to document injuries and create injury database.

LHWs were part of a program where, usually a female (worker is chosen by other workers on the farm) is trained in the principles of first aid and general knowledge of a range of basic health issues, providing vital primary and immediate care to workers. LHWs were also trained in keeping records of injury and attended regular feedback and training sessions.

Most of the occupational injuries (60%) were treated by the LHWs or nurses on the farms showing LHWs acted as important primary source of care for trauma. The additional function of LHWs as documenting injuries makes important contributions to systematic, ongoing surveillance of farm injuries.

Sonderman et al. (2018)

Kirehe, Rwanda

Protocol for randomized control trial for post-operative surgical site infection (SSI) screening in women > 18 years who underwent cesarean section. Primary outcomes will be evaluation of CHW interventions on patient return to hospital for SSI, and feasibility of CHW intervention for post-operative follow-up.

Within post-operative day 10, a CHW will administer 10-question SSI screening protocol

Arm 1: CHW will administer protocol at patient’s home, evaluate wound, and take photograph of wound

Arm 2: CHW will administer protocol over the phone

The control group (Arm 3) will not receive post-operative follow-up.

N/A