Contact email
jblock1@partners.org
Overview
This study uses focus groups to study employee perceptions of wellness programs at a large academic medical center in Boston. They conclude that employees sought solutions for aspects of workplace wellness not typically addressed by wellness efforts including serious constraints on time and space, toxic interpersonal relationships, and poor communication.
Department
Medicine
Division
General Internal Medicine
Collaborators
Michael Seward
Roberta Goldman
Stephanie Linakis
Paul Werth
Christina Roberto
Jason Block
Status/Stage of Development
Completed
Results
Employees cited the following prominent barriers to wellness program participation:
-limited availability
-time and marketing
-disparities in access
-workplace culture
Encouraging supportive, interpersonal relationships and perceived institutional support for wellness may improve workplace culture and improve participation.
Employees suggested changes to physical space, including onsite showers, and recommended a centralized wellness program that could lead creation and advertising of initiatives.
Sources
1. Seward MW, Goldman RE, Linakis SK, Werth P, Roberto CA, Block JP. Showers, Culture, and Conflict Resolution: A Qualitative Study of Employees’ Perceptions of Workplace Wellness Opportunities. J Occup Environ Med. 2019;61(10):829-835. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001671