Role of Promotoras de Salud in Mexican American Healthcare

Trunfio, Julia

Publication

Role of Promotoras de Salud in Mexican American Healthcare

Trunfio, Julia

Date

2019

Additional date(s)

2019-12-18

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the roles and responsibilities of Mexican American (MA) promotoras de salud (promotoras) from the literature and also from two female promotoras from north Texas to describe possible practice implications to support MA healthcare in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), TX metroplex. The researcher conducted a literature search and summarized the findings to describe promotora utilization. Next steps followed qualitative methodology to interview two female bilingual promotoras in the DFW metroplex using open-ended questions. The researcher audio recorded the interviews and recorded field notes during the interviews to collect non-verbal cues and major reoccurring themes. The researcher transcribed the interviews verbatim and employed content analysis methodology to organize the data collected into meaning units, codes, and data categories to address the research question. Content analysis of the qualitative promotoras interview revealed overlapping perceived roles and responsibilities in existing literature with the participant's interview data including positions as research team members, culturally competent members of the MA community, patient educators, and trained supporters of family cancer caregivers. The data collected informs nursing practice of the benefit to include promotoras as members of the MA healthcare team to provide culturally sensitive care, promote patient self-sufficiency, and establish successful patient outcomes.