Virtual World Training for Community Health Workers (CHW)

Standard, effective, and scalable training models are needed to help equip community health workers in their community‐based diabetes prevention awareness efforts. This study will tailor/adapt, implement, and evaluate an innovative internet‐based virtual world model to remotely deliver a diabetes prevention awareness training program to community health workers. A sequential mixed‐methods design is used to address these specific aims: 1. Use community‐based participatory research methods to guide the overall study and inform tailoring and adaptation of our virtual world model to deliver the CHW training program; 2. Conduct a randomized pilot study to compare change in primary outcomes (0, 12 weeks) after the in‐person versus virtual world delivery of the program; and 3. Conduct summative focus groups to gather information to refine the program and study methodology.