Establishing a new service role in tuberculosis care: the tuberculosis link worker

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04498.x
• Publication Date: 2010-08-12T15:12:50Z
• Authors: Gillian M. Craig; Helen Booth; Jo Hall; Alistair Story; Andrew Hayward; Ann Goodburn; Alimuddin Zumla
• Keywords: Outreach

Abstract Title. Establishing a new service role in tuberculosis care: the link worker Aim. This paper is report of study to develop social outreach model care, including developing collaborative care pathways, for marginalized groups with tuberculosis. Background. Social risk factors such as homelessness and substance misuse are associated poor treatment outcomes. Models interprofessional practice address health patients needed improve Methods. A process evaluation involving prospective cohort 100 interviews eight agencies involved their was conducted London between January 2003 April 2005. Outcome measures included profile patient need guide development; referrals providers; goal attainment; improvement outcomes; agencies’ views on benefits working. Findings. The median age sample 32·4 years 62% were males. Reasons referral housing (56%); welfare (42%); immigration (29%) clinical management issues (28%). One‐third referred other agencies. Goals, agreed plan, attained totally or partially 88% (59/67) 78% successfully completed treatment. Barriers attaining goals criteria which excluded some and, cases, patient’s inability follow course action. Conclusion. Link workers can mitigate that complicate by enabling integrated care.