Professionalization and the Experience-Based Expert: Strengthening Partnerships Between Health Educators and Community Health Workers

Abstract

The recent inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. Department of Labor's 2010 Standard Occupational Classification System provides an opportunity for health educators to reflect on their relationship with CHWs. The authors discuss the ways that health educators and CHWs differ in their orientation toward professionalization and employ the concept of the "experience-based expert" to highlight what they believe to be the unique contributions of CHWs. Finally, considerations important for health educators and CHWs as they work to advance supportive and complementary practices are discussed.