Lay health workers (LHWs) are widely used to provide care for a broad range of health issues. However, little is known about the effectiveness of LHW interventions. A ’lay health worker’ was defined as any health worker carrying out functions related to health care delivery; trained in some way in the context of the intervention; and having no formal professional or paraprofessional certificated or degreed tertiary education. There were no restrictions on the types of consumers. To assess the effects of LHW interventions in primary and community health care on health care behaviours, patients’ health and wellbeing, and patients’ satisfaction with care. Randomized controlled trials of any intervention delivered by LHWs (paid or voluntary) in primary or community health care and intended to promote health, manage illness or provide support to patients.

Lewin SA, Dick J, van Wyk B/ 2007