Identifying Wellness Program Needs.

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

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

• Secondly the needs assessment provides the information you’ll need to evaluate the effectiveness of your wellness program.

It’s 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 is critical to understand what your company needs are, what management expects, and what employees want as well as expect, before you create a program.  

Consider and gather data on -

• Demographic Information

• Health Risk Factors

• Medical Claims

• Injury Rates and Causes

• Workers’ Compensation Claims

• Short and Long Term Disability Claims

• Absenteeism

• Culture Audits

• Staff Member perceived needs and health risks

• Management expectations or desired outcomes

There are many ways to assess this information.  Although some of data collecting process may  be time eating, remember that it is notwithstanding essential to plan programs that target specific issues.  

This information will be vital to set goals and for investigating  program success.  How else can you know when outcomes have been achieved?

Options to help gather the wellness program information -

• Confidential Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s with a Business Group Summary Report click here for more information on Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s or Assessments

• Health Screenings such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar click here for more information on biometric testings.

• Worker Needs and Interest Surveys

• Suggestion boxes placed around the organization

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

• Sending out a confidential email questionnaire

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

Once your needs assessment is complete, the Wellness Committee can review the results and start planning and prioritizing program options.  

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