Transform Your Healthcare Approach to Connect People to Life-Changing Services 

Health is personal. For some, talking about such a sensitive topic can be intimidating – unless there’s trust. Unless there’s a connection.  

But how do you create that connection during outreach efforts? Try a dinamica. 

You’ll discover dinámicas integrate effective strategies that can help create genuine connections and build stronger relationships with the people you serve. In settings where traditional outreach methods fall short, these tools create space for learning, dialogue, and encouragement (Multnomah County Health Department, 2023): 

Whether you’re a Community Health Worker (CHW), health center staff, or organization leader, you’ll quickly see how dinámicas can transform your outreach efforts.  

The Numbers Tell the Story 

In 2023, health centers marked the historic milestone of serving 32.5 million patients (NACHC, 2024) … but how many community members haven’t yet stepped into a health center for critical services? Through effective outreach and relationship-building activities like dinamicas, we can reach even more individuals in need. 

Health centers and organizations are often on the front lines, helping individuals access affordable health and social care services. These services can include: 

• Health education helps prevent and manage chronic conditions. 

• Medication assistance programs and guidance on proper usage 

• Services that can support health and wellness. 

• Mental health support and resources.  

What does this mean for you? There is a massive opportunity to connect more people to life-changing services.  

This is where CHWs play a vital role. 

Because CHWs are trusted members of the communities they serve, they act as effective bridges between patients and healthcare systems (American Public Health Association, n.d.). By meeting people where they are—both physically and emotionally—CHWs help individuals access the resources they need to improve their health and well-being. (Ignoffo et al., 2024) 

One of the most effective tools CHWs use in outreach is dinámicas. These interactive educational activities go beyond simply sharing information. They help build trust, foster meaningful connections, and encourage active participation. 

Dinámicas offer: 

• Personal connection that values participants lived experiences. 

• Flexibility to adapt to any setting, group size, or time constraint. 

• Measurable engagement that translates to better health outcomes 

 CHWs understand that, before health education can be successful, there must first be a relationship. Through dinámicas, they create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and ready to engage. 

Testimonies from the Field 

CHWs and health centers across the country have embraced dinámicas as essential tools in their everyday outreach and patient engagement. 

Venita Perales, MHP Salud CHW, shares her go-to strategy: 

“One of my favorite dinámicas is ‘Two Truths and a Lie.’ I like it because it’s fun and can be used by everyone. You get to know the people you’re communicating with because they tell you about themselves. It helps everyone open up because it’s fun to play a game, and it helps the group become more close-knit because now they know something new about each other. This helps in our discussions with patients, follow-ups and overall interactions.” 

Your bottom line: Simple activities like this create the foundation for meaningful health conversations and lasting behavior change. Remember to gauge your audience and explore these strategies (Burgess et al., 2020). 

Your Action Plan: Making Dinámicas Work for You 

1. Choose activities appropriate for your audience – Consider the needs and preferences of the people you serve. 

1. Keep them simple, engaging, and relevant – Your goal is connection and learning, not overwhelming participants. 

1. Modify based on your constraints – A 10-minute icebreaker looks different with 5 people versus a larger group, so adjust accordingly. 

 Used thoughtfully, dinámicas become more than just activities—they become meaningful tools for relationship-building and supporting health education. 

Ready to See What’s Possible for Your Healthcare Outreach? MHP Salud offers free Technical Training Assistance to help you succeed. Dive into our TTA Menu and find the perfect support for your goals. 

 References 

American Public Health Association. (n.d.). Community health workers. https://www.apha.org/apha-communities/member-sections/community-health-workers 

Burgess, A., van Diggele, C., Roberts, C., & Mellis, C. (2020). Facilitating small group learning in the health professions. BMC Medical Education, 20(Suppl 2), 457. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02282-3 

County Health Department. (2023). Popular education manual [PDF]. https://multco.us/file/popular_education_manual/download 

Ignoffo, S., Gu, S., Ellyin, A., & Benjamins, M. R. (2024). A Review of Community Health Worker Integration in Health Departments. Journal of community health, 49(2), 366–376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-023-01286-6  

National Association of Community Health Centers. (2024). America’s health centers by the numbers. https://www.nachc.org/resource/americas-health-centers-by-the-numbers/