Community Health Workers as Organizational Actors in Community Health Centers in 4 Gulf Coast States.

Community health workers (CHWs) are recognized for bridging communities and health care systems; yet, there is limited discussion of CHWs' roles as organizational actors within and outside clinics. Individual semistructured interviews (n=21) were conducted in 4 Gulf Coast states with CHWs and supervisors to examine the bridging function of CHWs from a community health center's perspective. Results highlight that CHWs can function as gatekeepers and ambassadors who extend the clinics' reach in the community, enhance patient access to resources, and improve organizational efficiency. This study demonstrates the value that CHWs can bring for clients and clinics as organizational actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]