A qualitative exploration of community health workers' roles and motivations in delivering care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences and community perceptions in rural and urban Delhi, India.
4 affiliations
- 1School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. [email protected].
- 2Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, India.
- 3School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- 4University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
Background
This study examines the experiences of community health workers (CHWs) providing care in Delhi India during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and how their roles were perceived and accepted by beneficiaries and community leaders. Although CHWs are critical to healthcare delivery, limited evidence describes how they navigate role expectations, community dynamics, and system complexities to better improve health outcomes.Methods
A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews and field observations with 12 CHWs, five community members, and four community leaders (March-May 2025). The Lévesque conceptual framework guided data collection and analysis. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Results
Across the supply-side domains (approachability, acceptability, availability/accommodation, affordability, and appropriateness), three key categories emerged: (1) trust and respect, (2) professional values, and (3) norms, culture, and family. For the demand-side domains (ability to perceive, seek, reach, pay, and engage), one key category, community needs was identified. COVID-19 impacts and quality-of-care concerns were evident across all domains.Conclusions
Findings highlight the need for future research on sociocultural influences shaping CHWs' professional roles, the sustainability of incentive-based remuneration, and the long-term implications of digital technologies adopted during a crises such as COVID-19.
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BibTeX
@article{steenbeek2026qualitative,
title = {{A qualitative exploration of community health workers' roles and motivations in delivering care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences and community perceptions in rural and urban Delhi, India.}},
author = {Audrey Steenbeek and Seema Rani and Noah Doucette and Fareha Khan and Shilpi Sarkar and Alyssa Indar},
journal = {BMC health services research},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12913-026-15144-3},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907877},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A qualitative exploration of community health workers' roles and motivations in delivering care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences and community perceptions in rural and urban Delhi, India.
AU - Audrey Steenbeek
AU - Seema Rani
AU - Noah Doucette
AU - Fareha Khan
AU - Shilpi Sarkar
AU - Alyssa Indar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC health services research
DO - 10.1186/s12913-026-15144-3
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907877
AB - Background This study examines the experiences of community health workers (CHWs) providing care in Delhi India during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and how their roles were perceived and accepted by beneficiaries and community leaders. Although CHWs are critical to healthcare delivery, limited evidence describes how they navigate role expectations, community dynamics, and system complexities to better improve health outcomes.Methods A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews and field observations with 12 CHWs, five community members, and four community leaders (March-May 2025). The Lévesque conceptual framework guided data collection and analysis. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Results Across the supply-side domains (approachability, acceptability, availability/accommodation, affordability, and appropriateness), three key categories emerged: (1) trust and respect, (2) professional values, and (3) norms, culture, and family. For the demand-side domains (ability to perceive, seek, reach, pay, and engage), one key category, community needs was identified. COVID-19 impacts and quality-of-care concerns were evident across all domains.Conclusions Findings highlight the need for future research on sociocultural influences shaping CHWs' professional roles, the sustainability of incentive-based remuneration, and the long-term implications of digital technologies adopted during a crises such as COVID-19.
SN - 1472-6963
ER -