KDH Research & Communication, Inc. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: NIMHD

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant KDH Research and Communication KDHRC with the American College of Rheumatology ACR will develop LLPI Latinas con Lupus Promotoras con Informaci n Latinas with Lupus Promotoras with Information a culturally competent unique online professional development course course to improve the ability of promotoras de salud promotoras to raise awareness of and conduct effective outreach to low income Latinas about systemic lupus erythematosus lupus LLPI trained promotoras will offer psychosocial support and practical assistance to low income Latinas with diagnosed or suspected lupus by providing referrals building health care navigation skills and promoting self advocacy LLPI will be a six module bilingual course that uses both text and telenovela style video Promotoras will practice each moduleandapos s skills with a virtual client modeled after virtual patients All LLPI resources will be distributed online ACR commits commercialization support to this project and will distribute LLPI through its Lupus Initiative a national program that disseminates evidence based resources to reduce lupus health disparities LLPIandapos s relevance and innovation stem from four factors First lupus disproportionately affects low income Latinas Second promotoras are increasingly recognized as vital members of the health care workforce for underserved communities The Affordable Care Act specifically enumerates promotorasandapos potential contributions to public health Third promotoras are professionalizing To date states and the District of Columbia have passed laws addressing promotoras workforce development or financing and states have existing certification and or training programs Fourth online training is now widely used to train similar health care paraprofessionals with documented efficacy and cost effectiveness In Phase I we will develop an architecture plan for the full six module course and create a prototype of two full course modules with text video storyboards and rough cut virtual client experiences We will evaluate the prototype in a pretest post test control group study that examines the relationship between exposure to LLPI and increased knowledge about lupus more positive attitudes and beliefs about community outreach on lupus and greater self efficacy to conduct effective outreach In Phase II we will finalize LLPI by filming the telenovela style videos programming the virtual client experiences programming the entire course creating the offline resources and developing the LLPI dissemination website We will then evaluate the entire LLPI course in a well powered evaluation that explores the extent to which exposure to LLPI changes promotorasandapos knowledge attitudes and beliefs self efficacy and intentions to conduct effective outreach LLPI will be th only program of its kind and our market research suggests a significant need and eager market ACRandapos s commitment to LLPIandapos s commercialization plus letters of support from more than organizations representing more promotoras substantiate LLPIandapos s programmatic importance PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that disproportionately affects low income Latinas Promotoras or lay health workers are well positioned to conduct outreach raise awareness provide psychosocial support and practical assistance provide referrals build health care navigation skills and promote self advocacy to mitigate Latina lupus health disparities Latinas con Lupus Promotoras con Informaci n Latinas with Lupus Promotoras with Information will use an effective low cost technology online training to deliver an evidence based culturally competent intervention promotoras outreach to a population in need low income Latinas at a higher risk of or with suspected or diagnosed lupus