(1224) Impact and Clinical Outcomes of a Pharmacist and Dietitian Co-led Employee Wellness Program

Objectives: The Centers for Disease Control reported that in 2018 51.8% of adults in America had at least one chronic medical condition. Chronic conditions include diagnoses such as cancer, pulmonary disease, renal disease, diabetes, or hypertension, contributing to annual healthcare costs of $4.1 trillion. Diabetes and hypertension are associated with risk factors that can lead to advancement and comorbidities that negatively impact quality of life, clinical outcomes, and increase hospitalization. The World Health Organization reported that “common modifiable risk factors underlie the major chronic diseases …explain[ing] the vast majority of chronic disease deaths” . Common risk factors across disease states include poor nutrition, inactivity, excessive alcohol, and tobacco usage. Addressing these risk factors is one method to improve patient outcomes and decrease healthcare associated costs. Healthy People 2030 emphasizes workforce wellness initiatives, including employee health programs, physical activity and nutrition programs in workplaces. The developmental status of these initiatives indicated that these issues are a high-priority, with evidence-based interventions, but they lack the baseline data needed to be promoted to a core objective.
In 2021, a regional grocery store chain in the Northeast, implemented two associate benefit programs one for hypertension and another for Diabetes. The programs consist of pharmacist and dietitian created, hybrid modules that educate on the disease state, risks and reducing risk, weight, physical activity, medications, adherence, and monitoring. Associates are paired with a program coach, either a pharmacist or dietitian, who provide virtual check-in calls and support with any questions. Four required check-in calls are scheduled throughout the program. The first check-in call is with the participant’s primary coach prior to beginning, the second is with a pharmacist after module one, the third is with a dietitian after module three, and the final is with their primary coach at program conclusion. Participants are provided with a welcome kit that contains monitoring tools (A1c test kit or blood pressure monitor), scale, and resistance bands, and are incentivized to complete modules and check-in calls during scheduled work hours.
The primary objective of this study is the change in blood pressure, A1C, and/or weight. The secondary objective is to evaluate retention and reported impact from participants who enrolled in at least one employee wellness program.

Methods: Investigators plan to use a mixed methods approach. Inclusion criteria include employees of a regional grocery store chain who participated in the hypertension or diabetes employee wellness program(s). Retrospective participant data, blood pressure, A1C, and weight at baseline compared to final measures will be analyzed with a paired t-test for significance. Participants will be recruited via email from the program lead contact (dietitian) to complete an anonymous questionnaire developed by primary investigators. Utilizing Likert Scales, the questionnaire will evaluate the impact on health, quality of life, lifestyle modifications, and understanding of their condition. Additional sections will be included for the participant to elaborate on answers. Questionnaire data will be analyzed through descriptive statistics. At completion of the survey, participants will be incentivised to opt into a gift card raffle, chosen through a random name generator and unassociated with questionnaire responses. IRB will be submitted at Wilkes University at the end of October 2023.

Results: Results pending.

Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, researchers will identify clinical outcomes and participant impact of a pharmacist and dietitian co-led employee wellness program. Results can promote collaboration in implementing a hybrid, interprofessional wellness program and serve as a framework for other organizations.