Perceptions of Community Health Workers during Two Concurrent National Health Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19

Authors

Jose Zapata Jr, South Texas AHEC, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Janna Lesser, South Texas AHEC, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA; School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Pamela Recto, South Texas AHEC, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA; School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Andrea Moreno-Vasquez, South Texas AHEC, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Annette Z. Idar, South Texas AHEC, The University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of community health workers (CHWs), post opioid use disorder training, including the impact of the intervening COVID-19 pandemic, on service delivery and communication. Semi-structured interviews with 10 CHWs were conducted. Categories from the interviews focused on the loss of connections with their clients and how the COVID-19 pandemic caused the CHWs to experience significant interruptions in both their professional and personal lives. The COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic changes in how CHWs operate within the communities they serve and limiting the interpersonal relationships that are vital to their profession.

Recommended Citation

Jose Zapata Jr., Janna Lesser, Pamela Recto, Andrea Moreno-Vasquez & Annette Z. Idar (2022): Perceptions of Community Health Workers during Two Concurrent National Health Crises: Opioid Use Disorder and COVID-19, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2021.2011508