The menu approach offers workforce a range of choices to support lifestyle changes. It authorizes individuals to pick the kind of help that suits their schedules and preferences.
The four basic kinds of health promotion programs include –
• Classes
• Minigroups
• Guided self help
• Individual counseling
Classes
Classes (8 or more) may be an effective means of providing education and social support for behavior change. The length of a class can vary depending on topic requirements. It isn’t sufficient to offer only classes at a workplace.
A lot of employees are under time constraints with after work commitments and although they may be interested they simply can’t participate because of their schedules.
Workers could be very eager to begin a wellness program but because of lack of participants to meet class quotas, the wellness program is canceled.
A lot of national companies such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers, etc. offer classes; you should have little trouble in identifying a provider for class kind health promotion programs.
You might want to contact your local hospital, health department, or YMCA for possible choices. for picking a vendor to provide a wellness program you might want to review the section on wellness program structure.
Minigroups
When there is not enough interest to develop a class, those who are interested in a given health topic can be formed into a minigroup (2 to 7).
The minigroup can cover the same content as a class but do so in a less formal manner. Presentation of information and discussion is the major format of the minigroup.
Guided Self-Help
Most employees do not want formal help in making health changes; they prefer to do it on their own. In guided self-help, the wellness counselors provide support, materials, and encouragement.
Meeting times could be arranged and contact could be made either in person, by phone, or computer. Materials could be made available at the worksite, or mailed to the individual. Some worksites now make information available via intranets or the Internet.
Individual Counseling
Among the most successful ways to help person change and improve their health status is counseling (or coaching) on a one-on-one basis.
In published studies, wellness programs which incorporated individual counseling as part of the wellness program process achieved significantly higher participation rates and achieved greater risk reduction/risk elimination than standard group programs. Studies have demonstrated that individual counseling is both cost effective and cost beneficial.
A wellness counselor must be trained in screening techniques, for in certain situations, they could be required to both screen individuals and counsel them. They ought to know how to do the following –
• Review worker health risks
• Contact staff members that have health risks.
• Counsel workforce on a one-on-one basis, assisting them set objectives, solve problems, and get specialist help when they need it.
• Be certain to help staff members follow their treatment recommendations and make lifestyle and health behavior changes.
• Recruit employees into wellness programs, like weight reduction and use of tobacco cessation.
• Make sure to work with personnel on a one-on-one basis using guided self-help.
• Conduct courses and minigroups when necessary.
• Be sure to work with wellness committee members to plan and conduct worksite-wide wellness activities.
Health Promotion counselors are health generalists; they must’ve basic knowledge about a wide range of health topics and health risks.
Counselors should be able to speak with personnel about their health problems and the treatments prescribed by their physicians.
They should have a good overview of nutrition, exercise physiology, pathophysiology of disease, pharmacology, psychology, and behavior change skills.
