Most doctors agree that employers should play a role in helping workers with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, to improve their health, reports the Midwest Business Group of Health.
In a survey by the non-profit group, 72% of physicians indicate that U.S. companies should take part in efforts to improve their employees’ health. However, 59% of doctors said that employers should inform them about measures to help a patient manage a chronic disease.
Oddly enough, 32% of doctors criticize employer-sponsored wellness programs, citing concerns such as “the employer doesn’t know the patient” and “I don’t want to lose control of my patient’s care,” according to the online survey, which reflects the responses of more than 200 physicians. Physicians also said the programs shouldn’t invade privacy or practice medicine.
The survey participants acknowledge that employers can do a couple of things to garner their support of workplace wellness measures. For example, 61% of physicians wanted information about the health promotion programs so that they could advise patients about the value of participation, while about 50% asked to be sent clinical results collected at the worksite to reduce redundancies.
Furthermore, 48% of doctors would like to receive reports about the patients to assist them in treatment; and 47% believe that the programs should serve as an extension of the physician’s treatment regimen, leaving them in control of their patients. Doctors also urge employers to reach out to local chapters of primary care specialty societies—and not just to health plan providers—to seek input and promote employer-based programs.
“Physicians have a great influence on a patient’s decision to participate in employer-sponsored health management programs. Employees trust their doctor above all others when it comes to their health,” says Larry Boress, MBGH president and CEO. “We will use the findings to help our members and their health plans create programs that actively include physician participation and hope to collaborate with doctors to develop programs that will improve the health of not only our members’ employees, but also their communities,” Boress adds.
Other key findings include:
- About 46% of doctors agree employers have a role in helping patients improve their medication adherence.
- Eighty-two percent of physicians support the use of incentives to motivate employees to manage their chronic disease and stay healthy, while 70% support the use of reduced or waived co-pays to increase medication compliance.
- Sixty-two percent of respondents support reduced or waived co-pays for medical care to increase medical visits.
