Development of a comprehensive communication skills curriculum bases on intervention mapping in response to an urgent need for community health workers' education reform: A study protocol

BACKGROUND: Communication skills are one of the most important competencies required for community health workers (CHWs); however, there is no systematic evidence-based communication training course for them. In this study, we aim to develop a comprehensive communication skills curriculum for CHWs based on the intervention mapping (IM) approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the IM approach to develop a systematic evidence-based communication skills curriculum for CHWs. First, we will determine the required competencies (by a literature search, a qualitative study, and a Delphi study), and then, we will develop a questionnaire for need assessment, and finally, we will implement the course and evaluate its efficacy by conducting a randomized controlled trial. This study was designed according to the steps of IM. CONCLUSION: This protocol reports an example of developing a training course using IM. This course could be applied for similar health workers across the world, as well as the CHWs.