Title: Mental Exercise

Name: DONNA F GARCIA Subject: Health Ed P&P Date: April 23, 2022

Case Study
(Chapter 6: Compliance, Motivation, and Health Behaviors of the Learners)

“Keeping our employees healthy is not only the right thing to do, it is good for the bottom
line.” With this directive from the chief executive officer, Marie DeSantis, the staff in the Office
of Human Resources at Jefferson Pharmaceuticals developed a “Let’s Get Healthy” initiative for
its 500 employees. Weight Watchers, a smoking cessation program, and yoga classes were
brought on site and offered free of charge to all employees. Nicotine patches were offered at
50% of cost and gym memberships were provided at a significant reduction in price. The
cafeteria began offering healthy low-calorie meals and a walking club was started to support staff
who chose to exercise before and after work or during lunch hours. Staff who were willing to
submit an individual health plan and agreed to participate in one or more of the company’s
available health programs were offered a 10% discount in their health premiums.
One year after the start of Let’s Get Healthy, the initiative is in trouble. Although initially
met with a great deal of enthusiasm, staff compliance has declined. Attendance at Weight
Watchers and smoking cessation classes is episodic and yoga classes were cancelled because of
lack of interest. Anecdotal information suggests that although the company has renewed gym
memberships for about 20% of the staff, few are actually using them on a regular basis.
Convinced that Let’s Get Healthy is a good idea, the company has hired a health educator to
evaluate the program and make recommendations for improvement.

1. Using one of the identified models and theories of compliance (health belief model, self-
efficacy theory, protection motivation theory, stages of change model, theory of reasoned
action, or therapeutic alliance model), provide a possible explanation for why the staff
members at Jefferson Pharmaceuticals are not participating in the Let’s Get Healthy
campaign.

A health regimen's compliance is an observable, directly measurable behavior. In

contrast, motivation is an indirectly measurable precursor to action through behavioral
consequences or outcomes. Adherence is a long-term commitment or attachment to a
regimen.
Making healthy lifestyle changes is difficult to comply with because positive outcomes
from behavioral change are rarely immediate, leading to frustration and non-adherence to
health plans that focus on long-term benefits rather than immediate gratification. In order to
aid patient compliance, a social cognitive theories' web-based behavior motivational tool was
developed. By creating scenarios and "information interventions based on predefined rules to
 achieve effective compliance," entertaining gaming techniques encourage behavior change
(Lin, Ramakrishnan, Chang, Spraragen, & Zhy, 2013, p. 58).
"Let's Get Healthy" may have increased the perceived value of exercise for weight loss
and health (as a preventive or treatment "medicine" while inadvertently reducing the
experiential benefits of exercise, such as social interaction, expression of personal skills, and
abilities, self-development, or pure enjoyment. In a recent review of physical activity,
behavioral change mediators and the experiential qualities of exercise were considered
critical adherence factors. On that note, it's probably no coincidence that physical activities
not traditionally associated with the term "exercise," such as sports, dancing, and outdoor
exploration activities, are rarely mentioned in the current public health dialogue about
"exercise as medicine." If such beneficial activities are not highlighted, it could hinder public
health and exercise promotion.

2. What motivational strategies did the human resources staff use in Let’s Get Healthy? Why do
you think these strategies did not work?

Poor exercise adherence or completely giving up on a fitness goal is often based on

physiological and psychological factors that limit success. This is one of the most common
mistakes. Setting an unrealistic goal is the easiest way to pave the road for discouragement.
Physiological and psychological factors that limit success are often the cause of poor
exercise adherence or complete abandonment of a fitness goal. It's one of the most common
blunders people make. Setting an improbable goal is the quickest way to set yourself up for
disappointment.
Others do not believe it is a worthwhile endeavor. Their exercise behavior is also not
self-determined because it is governed by external factors. They are exercising because they
have been told by a higher authority, even if they do not believe it is necessary. People may
be motivated to comply with external pressure to act when regulated in this way, but they do
so unwillingly, even resentfully, and are unlikely to continue if the external pressure is
relaxed.
There are many different motivating factors that drive people to make behavior change
for both weight loss and smoking. Programs that can provide a personalized, holistic
approach and that can connect that individual to the tools and resources they specifically
need to overcome barriers can be beneficial in supporting behavior change. Readiness to
change and the decision to finally make a commitment seem to be the top motivating factors
across both weight loss and smoking cessation. Employers should ensure they consistently
communicate the availability of these programs to ensure they are top-of-mind when
employees are finally ready for behavior change. Employers should view behavior change as
a longer-term process. Most who are successful at weight loss or smoking cessation have
made numerous prior attempts. Organizations should look at both short- and long-term
metrics in their program assessments. While there are commonalities between successful
 smoking cessation and weight loss, there are clear differences as well. Communications
should focus on the unique motivators and benefits to ensure the most relevant and
compelling messaging possible.

3. Do you think that if a health education campaign was offered in conjunction with the Let’s
Get Healthy program, the results would have been different?

Yes, there is a need for education in conjunction with the Let’s Get Healthy program to
address the lack of information on benefits of healthy diet as well as the benefits of exercise
and how exercise should be undertaken. Level of non-adherence is high whether it is lifestyle
recommendation or treatment prescription. Numerous factors are responsible for non-
adherence, and for each type of recommendation, factors are different. A health professional
should consider all possible factors which hinders adherence of the patients to the diet,
physical activity, and treatment regimen while guiding the patients.
The culture of health in supporting behavior change and motivating individuals is
significant in achieving and sustaining lifestyle improvement. It must comprise a broader
view of program and service composition, combining a wide range of resources, activities,
and communication channels to envelop consumers in a web of positive influence that helps
us identify the individuals who are ready to change and proactively engage them when they
are most receptive to support. By engaging when employees are ready to change, we can help
them commit to that change, act on their commitment, generate early success, and sustain
momentum for the long term. Successful programs optimize engagement by extending
pervasive support through various media and channels.