Health Extension Officer
Encyclopedia
Health Extension Officers, also known as Health Extension Workers (HEWs), are a category of health care provider
s found in some countries including Papua New Guinea
and Ethiopia
. They usually work in health centres in rural and medically underserved areas, where they see and treat patient
s and provide a range of community health services.
of Health Sciences in Rural Health, which focuses upon preparation for practice in rural areas. The four-year training program includes theoretical study in medicine (including human biology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, surgery, etc.), as well as extended placements in hospitals and health centres for practical application of learning. Health Extension Officers are responsible for patient care, the administration of the local health centre, and the coordination of community health services.
Health care provider
A health care provider is an individual or an institution that provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families or communities....
s found in some countries including Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. They usually work in health centres in rural and medically underserved areas, where they see and treat patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
s and provide a range of community health services.
Papua New Guinea
In Papua New Guinea, Health Extension Officers are trained with a Bachelor'sBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
of Health Sciences in Rural Health, which focuses upon preparation for practice in rural areas. The four-year training program includes theoretical study in medicine (including human biology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, surgery, etc.), as well as extended placements in hospitals and health centres for practical application of learning. Health Extension Officers are responsible for patient care, the administration of the local health centre, and the coordination of community health services.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, against a backdrop of acute physician shortage, Health Extension Workers are assigned to local health posts and provide a package of essential interventions to meet population health needs at this level. Through the national Health Extension Program, HEWs are recruited among high school graduates in local communities, and undergo a one-year training program to deliver a package of preventive and basic curative services that fall under four main components: hygiene and environmental sanitation; family health services; disease prevention and control; and health education and communication.See also
- Health workforce
- Clinical officerClinical officerClinical officers are health care providers who practice modern medicine. They practice independently but may be supervised by a physician in some settings....
s - Clinical associatesClinical associatesClinical associates are a category of healthcare providers found in South Africa. They assess patients, make diagnoses, prescribe treatment and perform minor surgery under the supervision of a physician....
- Community health workerCommunity health workerCommunity health workers are members of a community who are chosen by community members or organizations to provide basic health and medical care to their community...
s - Physician assistantPhysician assistantA physician assistant/associate ' is a healthcare professional trained and licensed to practice medicine with limited supervision by a physician.-General description:...
s