Debunking the myths of health assessments with worksite wellness
Published July 31, 2014 9:34 AM
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Updated August 1, 2014 10:18 AM
1 Min Read
Myth #1 Health assessments can stand alone as both tool and intervention for health
Best practice: The purpose of the health assessment is a catalyst for engagement in behavior change and health improvement. HealthFitness says some of the steps to trigger engagement include: Asking the right questions on assessments, keeping it short and simple, generating a meaningful report and creating the personalized sparks to action.
Myth #2: Questions should target symptoms of chronic conditions
Best practice: Prevent or manage chronic conditions through questions that identify associate behaviors by following industry standards and national guidelines for health information. Try to use the assessment to find precursor behaviors. Re-envision a health assessment tool as a behavior-changing mechanism.
Myth #3: The validity test for a health assessment is all about long-term risk
Best practice: Also test the assessment for influencing behavior impact and cognitive validity. The original validation studies for health assessments in the 1970s tested the predictive value of the questions for chronic disease risk down the road. Validation for predictive value is important, but it leaves unanswered how effective questions are for influencing behavior change. A best practice today is to test the assessment for influencing behavior impact and cognitive validity as well.
Myth #4: People will experience an epiphany and change unhealthy habits
Best practice: Offer individuals actionable feedback for health improvement in bite-size pieces and then follow up with support. Relying on a scared straight reaction is antiquated. Using feedback that minimizes judgment and focuses on reducing defensiveness is a better approach.
Your checklist for a tested and validated health assessment
1.tAll questions should be actionable
2.tFeedback should empower the participant to make decisions.
3.tLanguage should be easy to understand and tested for cognitive validity for the target audience.
4.tReview the health assessment at least every two years to keep current with evidence-based guidelines.
5.tThe overall health management program should be NCQA-accredited for Wellness and Health Promotion.
2.tFeedback should empower the participant to make decisions.
3.tLanguage should be easy to understand and tested for cognitive validity for the target audience.
4.tReview the health assessment at least every two years to keep current with evidence-based guidelines.
5.tThe overall health management program should be NCQA-accredited for Wellness and Health Promotion.
