Case Studies

Framed in the waiting room for all to see was a photo of the office staff participating in Ride Your Bike to Work Week — where the participants rode distances that would have deterred a less committed group! AccentHealth contact Shelley Cannon rode a total of 25 miles! Equally important, staff participation in the 4-day event promoted the importance of good health.

Ride Your Bike to Work Week is sponsored by The League of American Bicyclists. The association's mission is to promote bicycling for many reasons, including its role in fitness. It represents the nation's 57 million cyclists, who are committed to changing the cycling experience. According to behavioral expert Dr. Michael Peterson, practice managers who are models for healthy behavior themselves deliver a more credible message. When you recommend that patients become more physically active, they see that you really believe what you're saying because you've "walked the walk."

In honor of Dr. Cathy Daly, who passed away from the disease four years ago, Debbie Houk and the Perry County Family Practice walked in the American Cancer Society's (ACS) annual awareness event in May. Patients were encouraged to participate to raise money and help promote healthy eating habits. The commitment of the 20 staff members to raising money for the association has delivered an encouraging message: that partnering with others creates powerful motivation. In fact, they've raised a total of over $5,000 to date for the ACS.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path.

Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.

According to behavioral expert Dr. Michael Peterson, creating opportunities for social support and engagement in healthy behaviors is a good way to promote health. Linking the behavior to an altruistic benefit also gives added purpose, which makes the act more enjoyable and rewarding.

Thirty-two staff members of the Hastings Orthopedic Clinic received certification in strength and conditioning from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and now run a budget-friendly camp for kids 10-18 years old in the evenings during the summer.

Called Camp Speed, this community investment improves children's athleticism, coordination, body awareness, and strength. Passing a healthy legacy on to your children is the ultimate in motivation.

According to Dr. Michael Peterson, instilling good health habits early in a child's life increases the likelihood of their continuing these good habits into adulthood. It also decreases the chance of their developing chronic diseases at an early age. Enhancing a child's physical skills also enables them to feel more confident and positive about participating in physical activities in the future.

Hundreds of patients walked with the practice staff, who enhance patient education around the signs and symptoms of heart disease. According to one staff member, "It's a wonderful feeling of achievement when we all cross the finish line."
AHA's goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart disease risk by 25 percent by 2010, including reducing: 1) the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25 percent; 2) the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol levels, and physical inactivity by 25 percent; and 3) the prevalence of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25 percent.
According to Dr. Michael Peterson, when we associate positive emotions with healthy activities and behaviors, we are more likely to do them. It's important for patients to engage in activities that give them a sense of accomplishment and achievement. This acts as an emotional motivating force to continue or repeat those activities.

The Eaton Rapids Medical Center has an employee wellness program called "For the Health of It." Each quarter, employees can opt to set personal health goals, which are tracked through a range of measures, including their weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and stress levels. A registered dietician and a social worker help them stay on track to meet their goals. Rewards include movie tickets and gift certificates. The program was so successful that it was expanded to include the local community. Now, many people beyond the office benefit from the wellness program.

According to Dr. Michael Peterson, when health goals are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-limited), the chances of success increase. This "I can do it" mindset fuels motivation — and leads to success.