Building capacity to reduce disparities in diabetes: training community health workers using an integrated distance learning model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether an innovative interactive distance training program is an effective modality to train community health workers (CHWs) to become members of the diabetes health care team. The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has developed a rigorous diabetes training program for CHWs involving both distance and hands-on learning as part of Project ECHO™ (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).

Methods: Twenty-three diverse CHW participants from across New Mexico were enrolled in the first training session.