Strategies from Successful Offices
The tips for success listed below are an accumulation from offices that participated in the "Healthiest Family Medicine Office in America." These strategies were incorporated into their offices' Step II challenge.
- Started an office walking group at lunch time and used the stairs more frequently
- Renewed efforts to go to the gym on a regular basis
- Office changed from sweetened tea to unsweetened tea
- Pedometers were purchased for all staff participating
- Made poster about competition and put outside employee lounge
- Challenged patients to walk 10,000 steps with them
- Good team building opportunity
- Started a “Healthy Lunch” program, which provided a healthy lunch once a week for the entire office
- Held exercise classes for staff/patients/non-patients who were interested
- Participated in local walks/runs
- AmeriCorps volunteers offered healthy lifestyle counseling for staff and patients
- Changed snacks being brought into the break room
- Used pedometer as prompt to discussing “fitness” with patients
- Developed an information board with a weekly staff member being highlighted for their fitness activities
- Started a staff “The Biggest Loser” competition
- Doctors bought everyone memberships to a fitness center
- Incorporated a “buddy” system to work out
- Had Pharma reps bring in healthier lunch options
- Local newspaper did a story about their involvement in this program
- Suggested to the hospital to sell pedometers in their gift shop
- Doctor gave weekly “lectures” on healthy tips, ie. goal setting, weight loss basics, etc.
- Posted a daily “scoreboard” of weight loss for the two teams
- Posted an easy to read BMI Chart in the patient area
- Had pedometers donated to the offices
- Staff wore “Manet in Motion” badges
- Felt like role models to their patients
- Developed group walks
- Gave Pharma reps a do and don’t list of lunch options, changed to healthier lunches
- Shared recipes from AOM website with staff
- Produced a 1 page newsletter with information from staff regarding fitness activities
- Shared “healthy” snack ideas between office staff
- Changed office food habits
- Involved hospital CEO, Medical Director and their staff in challenge
- Posted signs about involvement in AIM
- Watched caloric intake
- Water has become beverage of choice
- Health conscious snacks brought in
- Posted achievements on department web site
- Hung “completion certificates” in well traveled hallway
- During a work-time seminar, showed the documentary “Super Size Me”
- Developed individualized programs based on exercise preferences and time schedules
- Several patients joined in the program
- Saw a shift in lunches and snacks being brought in
- Placed literature on exercise and nutrition in lunch room
- Doctor provided motivation such as prizes and speakers
- Sponsored weekly healthy lunches were proceeds went to American Cancer Society (ACS)
- Recipes distributed at weekly wellness lunch
- Negotiated a special rate for staff at a local fitness facility
- Shared their experiences with patients
- Added a water cooler in the office
- Posted daily tips on bulletin board
- “Core Wellness Lectures” were conducted during lunch hours
- Celebrated the conclusion of program with a “Wellness Achievement Party”
- Scaled down the twice weekly lunches that were brought in
- Started doing group activities such as walking and bowling
- Developed posters and flyers and posted in a central location
- Outside companies asked if the office staff could come to their offices and get their employees involved/interested in this wellness program
