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Table 3 Elements of CHW professionalism

From: Participants’ perceptions of interactions with community health workers who promote behavior change: a qualitative characterization from participants with normal, depressive and anxious mood states

CHW characteristic

Evidenced participant quotation

Adaptability

“Yes. She had a very nice personality, she was very nice, very willing, because sometimes I couldn’t [meet] due to my children’s school and they would adapt themselves to my schedule.” Female, age 35, Spanish interview

Demonstrated skill

“Through their behavior and how they handled themselves, how they worked, the procedures they followed, I could see they were skilled.” Male, age 48, Spanish interview

Preparedness for presentation

“She is a very professional person, and she would motivate you to make changes of your eating habits, exercises. She came very prepared to motivate you to make changes in general, behavioral things, physically, foodwise, and she would give you a lot of advice.” Female, age 33, Spanish interview

Mirrors Messages from Primary Care Provider

“It was very similar to what the doctor had told me. They [CHW] would tell me very similar things in regards to portions. It was very important to eat fruits and vegetables, to do exercise. It wasn’t just the diet; that one had to do exercise, at least to walk or run.” Female, age 35, Spanish interview

Person-centered learning techniques

“Sometimes you don’t understand something and you ask her over and over and she has the patience to answer you.” Female, age 41, Spanish interview

Reduces technological divide

“She was certain about what she was talking about, because she was explaining everything on the computer or she would bring those pamphlets and tell us, “Look, follow this.” She’d explain really well, very very well.” Female, age 54, Spanish interview