178345 A T'ai Chi model for worksite health promotion programs:Parallel program delivery and standardized instructor development

Monday, October 27, 2008

Edward L. Jones, MPH , CDC Occupational Health and Prevention Services Contract, Computer Sciences Corporation, Atlanta, GA
Diffusion of T'ai Chi through the general population in the United States has been largely limited by a lack of qualified teachers. In 2001 the Lifestyle Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta introduced a worksite T'ai Chi program that has to date delivered employee instruction to over 600 employees while supporting the ongoing training of new “lay” instructors.

Critical components leading to the success of the CDC program were (1) the decision to train instructors, rather than hire a T'ai Chi instructor from the community, (2) the selection of the particular T'ai Chi program to implement, (3) the support resources available to the initial and future instructors, (4) the program delivery design and (5) an oversight program to monitor instructor performance at each of the three delivery sites.

The program delivery design has proven attractive to employee participants, while providing a parallel instructor training curriculum. All instructors-in-training follow a standardized process of learning T'ai Chi principles, developing performance skills, and demonstrating teaching skills before assuming independent class leadership. This program provides a model that can be replicated in other worksites.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the components necessary to mount a worksite T'ai Chi program. 2. Describe the resources necessary to train "lay" instructors for T'ai Chi. 3. Identify factors in T'ai Chi program design that influence employee participation.

Keywords: Worksite, Wellness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have directed the worksite health promotion program for employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)in Atlanta, Georgia since 1985. In 2001 I provided the direct leadership involved in the introduction of T'ai Chi classes for employees. I developed a class delivery format and progression that attracted high employee participation. On a parallel track I developed a "lay" T'ai Chi instructor development program to sustain program delivery. I am a certified T'ai Chi Fundamentals Instructor as well as a Certification Reviewer for persons applying for certification as instructors in T'ai Chi Fundamentals. I am a certified T'ai Chi for Arthritis Instructor.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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See more of: Alternative and Complementary Health Practices