Educator applies time management to wellness
In an effort to meet employers' demands for high productivity, one health promotion professional is applying time management skills to wellness programming.
"Many employers do feel that health education for the employees is a good investment as far as retaining workers and reducing medical costs, but there's also a trend in worksites to find more creative ways to reach employees," says Allan Percy, MSW, CHES, director of health education at CareAmerica, a Woodland Hills, CA-based health plan. "The old way of having one-hour classes or longer for many employees may be unrealistic because of the cost involved."
Employers are open to new approaches, says Percy, and he has begun experimenting with several. "We are currently using a learning center and display, which can be used in a health fair or screening environment," he notes. "The employee can come by for a few minutes and pick up the information they want." At present, he says, the information is provided on specific themes, such as stress management or child safety.
Another strategy Percy is trying involves on-site learning centers. "Having classes forces people to attend," he notes. "At learning centers, they can learn on their own and at their own level. It also means employees won't be in class for an hour or longer, and employers are interested in having employees take less time away from their jobs." Percy says such centers also afford better employee buy-in because they are voluntary.
Another strategy incorporates videos. "We have always had video programs available for member loan, but we now have a new concept - developing a video kit on how to set up a walking program at your worksite," he says. "This is a concept we're just beginning to evaluate."
[Editor's Note: For more information, contact: Allan Percy, CareAmerica, 6300 Canoga Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367-2555. Telephone: (818) 228-2564.]
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