An integrated approach to worksite wellness, health, and safety delivered via a vendor: A qualitative evaluation

Background: There is an emerging trend towards integrating worksite health promotion (WHP) and occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and practices to improve worker health. Our research group has repeatedly demonstrated that worksite interventions integrating WHP and OSH are efficacious in promoting changes in risk-related behaviors, and promote a higher level of worker participation than WHP programs offered alone.

There is a need for effective dissemination models of integrated approaches. Small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) often use wellness vendors; our current pilot study tests the feasibility and acceptability of the delivery of an integrated program by a wellness vendor in three SMBs. This presentation reports on post-intervention qualitative interviews that are part of the larger study . 

Methods: Seven key informant interviews are being conducted and recorded with wellness vendor staff and site liaisons at the pilot sites. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) are being conducted and recorded with pilot site employees from company wellness and safety committees. Recorded data will be transcribed.  We will conduct qualitative content analysis of the data using intensive reading and group discussion of the full transcripts, and coding and thematic formulation processes constructed using NVivo software.

Results: We will report on results from interviews and FGDs on topics including feasibility, acceptability, perceptions of programmatic success and barriers to implementation of integrated programs.

Conclusion: Conclusions will focus on barriers, feasibility and acceptability of an integrated approach to wellness using a vendor model. Future dissemination needs for integrated worksite health programs will be suggested.