The menu approach offers staff members a range of options to support way of life changes. It allows people to choose the type of help that suits their schedules and preferences.
The four basic types of health promotion programs include
o Classes
o Minigroups
o Guided self help
o Individual counseling
Classes
Courses (8 or more) can 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 is not sufficient to give only courses at a worksite.
Many staff are under time constraints with after work commitments and although they may be interested they simply can’t participate because of their schedules.
Workers may 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 businesses such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers, etc. offer classes; you should’ve little trouble in identifying a provider for class type wellness programs.
You may want to contact your local hospital, health department, or YMCA for possible choices. for selecting a provider to provide a health promotion program you may want to review the section on health promotion program structure.
Minigroups
When there is not enough interest to develop a class, those who are interested in a given health topic could 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 may be arranged and contact may be made either in individuals, by phone, or computer. Materials may be made available at the workplace, or mailed to the individual. Some workplaces 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. Scientific studies have demonstrated that individual counseling is both cost effective and cost beneficial.
A wellness counselor should be trained in screening techniques, for in certain situations, they might be required to both screen individuals and counsel them. They ought to know how to do the following
o Review staff member health risks
o Contact staff members that have health risks.
o Counsel staff on a one-on-one basis, helping them set objectives, solve problems, and get professional help when they need it.
o Make sure to help workforce follow their treatment recommendations and make lifestyle and health behavior changes.
o Recruit employees into health promotion programs, such as weight loss and smoking cessation.
o Make sure to work with workforce on a one-on-one basis using guided self-help.
o Conduct classes and minigroups if necessary.
o Make 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 talk with workforce about their medical problems and the treatments prescribed by their doctors.
They should’ve a great overview of nutrition, exercise physiology, pathophysiology of illness, pharmacology, psychology, and behavior change skills.