 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Georg F Bauer, MD DrPH and Margrit R Schmid, MD. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, Department of Health and Intervention Research, University of Zurich, Sumatrastrasse 30, Zurich, CH-8006, Switzerland, 001-411-6344638, gfbauer@ifspm.unizh.ch
Problem: Research shows limited dissemination of comprehensive workplace health promotion (WHP) in SMEs. WHP instruments appropriate for SMEs targeting psycho-social determinants of health in the working environment are scarce. Thus, a working group of WHP professionals and SME representatives designed a three year program to develop and disseminate WHP tools to SMEs.
Objectives: The program funded by Health Promotion Switzerland will provide a network of SMEs as models of good WHP practice, standardized modules for implementing WHP in SMEs, and ongoing dissemination of WHP to SMEs.
Program: A working group of six WHP providers develops standardized modules and tests them in eleven model companies. Formative evaluation improves the quality of the modules from both provider and company perspectives. The modules include a workshop to motivate managers for WHP, management and employee surveys, a joint labor-management process for problem solving, and courses addressing health behavior (i.e., wellness, stress management), personnel development (i.e., team development, health promoting management style), and organizational development (i.e. participatory job re-design, workplace design). Companies can select appropriate elements from this toolbox, depending on their own needs, assets and resources. The modules are disseminated via associations of SMEs, personnel managers, quality managers, and via Internet and mass media. Interested providers and company representatives will be trained in implementing the modules.
Conclusion: It has proven feasible to include companies in an intensive process of developing practical WHP tools. The resulting modules are flexible enough to be adapted to a company’s specific context and enable SMEs to implement comprehensive WHP.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.