What is the primary role of a community health worker in a patient-centered care team?

• A. To diagnose medical conditions and prescribe treatments.
• B. To manage hospital operations and scheduling for the care team.
• C. To educate, support, and connect clients to needed services, help with navigation, promote health literacy, and advocate for clients while respecting autonomy and privacy.
• D. To replace physicians in delivering medical care.

Answer: (C)

The main role of a community health worker in a patient-centered care team is to serve as a bridge between the patient and the health system, focusing on education, support, navigation, and advocacy while honoring the patient’s values, autonomy, and privacy. They educate clients in clear, plain language to boost health literacy and help them understand options so they can participate meaningfully in decisions about their care. They assist with connecting to needed services and resources—finding a primary care provider, scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, linking to social supports, and addressing barriers like cost or housing. They advocate for patients within the care team to ensure that the patient’s preferences shape care plans, and they do so while protecting confidentiality and respecting privacy. This role enhances patient-centered care by addressing social determinants of health and providing culturally appropriate, ongoing support in the community, without diagnosing or prescribing medical treatments or replacing clinicians.