Working with Lay Health Educators in a Rural Cancer-Prevention Program

To describe procedures for working with lay health educators in a rural cancer prevention program. Methods: Process evaluation of traditional personnel methodology indicated problems during the early phases of the program. This necessitated modifications in procedures. Results: Adopting methods more in concert with Native American modes of communication were more beneficial. Conclusion: Experience suggests that lay health educators can be valuable team members in health-education programs. Sensitivity to cultural differences and a high degree of flexibility maybe required in recruitment, training, and supervision.