Community health workers bridging rural healthcare gaps

Thursday, Mar 14, 2024

Rural communities face many disparities in accessing healthcare needs. Though the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, including a shortage of nursing staff, community health workers (CHWs) are now bridging the gap to give hope to rural residents.

CHWs are crucial to providing healthcare access to residents of rural communities where resources and services are limited. At Brownfield Regional Medical Center in Brownfield, Texas, Devene Haynes works as the first and only CHW at the facility.

“There is a growing need for more CHWs,” said Haynes. “When I started no one knew what a CHW did and I'm just now starting to get referrals from the doctors and nurses inside my facility.”

Haynes believes creating awareness of CHWs among healthcare providers and the value they provide to the community, would improve healthcare access in rural communities.

Another common challenge CHWs face is working to gain the community’s trust. CHWs are there to aid and provide relief to the healthcare teams.

“Our nurses work hard, and they are overworked, so I want to help in whatever capacity that is,” said Haynes. “It has been a challenge, but I think the nurses are now relying on me a little bit more so I can help them with their assessments or anything they may not have time to do.”

Haynes also touches on preventive intervention as a CHW. Working with a disabled veteran who faced food insecurities, she took the necessary steps to fulfill his daily nutrition needs. Haynes recently joined forces with South Plains Food Bank to take further action for others who may face the same concern.

“I can help give food boxes for people that are in need,” Haynes said. “However, I'm searching for a building where we can store the food boxes here because a lot of people don't have the means of transportation to go get items.”

Haynes hopes to find additional ways to serve as a resource in her rural community.

“If people have a need or they need somebody to reach out to, please don't hesitate to let me know,” said Haynes. “There are a lot of challenges that come with this profession, but there are also so many joys that come with it too.”

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with Devene Haynes please contact her at: devene.haynes@brownfield-rmc.org.

For more information on the UTA Center for Rural Health and Nursing, visit the CRHN webpage.

 

-Written by Midori Hrinda, UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation