Identifying Wellness Program Needs.

Before you begin planning your Wellness Program you need to know where you’re now and then decide where you want to go.  Completing a thorough needs assessment is vital to the success of your wellness program for two reasons -

o  First it ensures that your wellness program activities will be targeted to meet your organization’s specific needs so that outcomes could be achieved.

o  Secondly the needs assessment provides the information you will need to evaluate the effectiveness of your wellness program.

It is often tempting to rush the assessment – specifically when time is limited or those with experience already have an idea of needs. Do not give in to this temptation!

It’s vital to understand what your corporation needs are, what upper management expects, and what workers want in addition to expect, before you create a health promotion program.

Consider and gather data on -

o  Demographic Information

o  Health Risk Factors

o  Medical Claims

o  Injury Rates and Causes

o  Workers’ Compensation Claims

o  Short and Long Term Disability Claims

o  Absenteeism

o  Culture Audits

o  Worker perceived needs and health risks

o  Management expectations or desired outcomes

There are numerous ways to assess this information. Although some of data gathering process may  be time eating, remember that it’s nevertheless essential to plan wellness programs that target specific issues.

This information will be crucial to set goals and for assessing  health promotion program success. Exactly how else can you know when outcomes have been achieved?

Options to help gather the wellness program information -

o  Confidential Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) with a Company Group Summary Report click here for additional information on Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) or Assessments

o  Health Testings like cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar click here for additional information on biometric testings.

o  Staff Member Needs and Interest Surveys

o  Suggestion boxes placed around the corporation

o  Focus Groups or hosting a luncheon meeting as a focus group

o  Sending out a confidential email questionnaire

o  Review records and databases including OSHA logs, first aid reports, insurance costs

Once your needs assessment is complete, the Health Promotion Committee can review the results and begin planning and prioritizing health promotion program choices.

Creating ought to be based on goals and identified outcomes, Step 4 of the seven step process!