Chapter 2: The Business Case for the Integration of Employee Assistance,Work-Life and Wellness Services

SUMMARY

Employee assistance programs (EAP), work-life programs and wellness programs are three commonly provided kinds of interventions that have the goals of reducing healthcare costs, improving employee performance and fostering a healthier workplace culture. The integration of these kinds of programs is a recent trend that has the potential to offer additional synergistic benefits. New studies have linked comprehensive delivery services that support human capital needs with bottom-line financial success of the company. This evidence can be used to make the business case for offering EAP, work-life and wellness services in an integrated capacity. However, while promising, the scientific evidence thus far in this area has methodological limitations and there are critical aspects that require further study.     

Chapter 18: Australian Perspectives on the Organizational Integration of Employee Assistance Services

Abstract

This article considers the commonalities and differences between Australian EAPs and their counterparts in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. The unique characteristics of Australian EAPs are examined, including an account of the approach taken to the integration of EAP services and other employee services such as work-life and wellness. Three case studies illustrate the forms of integration presently being explored in Australia. It is concluded that efforts to engage in the type of “big picture” thinking characteristic of integration are apparent, even though there is little evidence of the type and degree of collaboration seen to be emerging in the U.S.A.     

Chapter 4: Research on the Integration of Employee Assistance,Work-Life and Wellness Services

SUMMARY

This article will focus on the research exploring the degree to which organizational integration of Employee Assistance, Work/Family and Wellness Programs has evolved since the early 1990s. The first study reviewed is the National Study of EAP and Work/Family Programs conducted in 1994 by Boston University's Center on Work and Family in which 100 of the top family friendly companies were inter viewed. Two major studies conducted under the guidance of the Employee Assistance Professional Association (EAPA) are then reviewed. The Phase I research conducted in 2001 was a large-scale survey of the professionals in fields of EAP and Work-life (N = 950). The Phase II research conducted in 2002 was comprised of two stages: A pilot study surveying vendors in the EAP and Work-life fields (N = 213) and a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews with vendors from all three professions (N = 79). The overall theme from this body of research is one of dramatically increasing movement and market demand for some form of collaboration/integration of service delivery. Finally, the chapter offers recommendations for further research regarding integration of services as well as implications for the professional fields.     

Lyme Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Using a needs-assessment technique called story-boarding to determine characteristics of health promotion and wellness among university students is discussed. Storyboarding allows students to work together as they generate ideas and eliminates the territorial defensiveness that often occurs when new ideas are suggested. Sixteen graduate students in a health education teaching methods course demonstrated the use of the technique to identify characteristics of wellness for university students. In addition, they identified content areas and outlined key programs, services, personal habits, and skills useful for enhancing university students' wellness.     

康养旅游相关概念辨析与国际研究进展

康养旅游(wellness tourism)隶属于健康旅游(health tourism)的范畴,是新近国际旅游研究的热点领域。文章通过对康养旅游概念的源起及其流变的梳理,辨明了康养旅游与健康旅游、温泉疗法、疗养旅游、医疗旅游等相关概念的关系。研究表明,康养旅游的产品形式会根据不同国家和地区的资源禀赋、健康政策、消费市场的特点而产生变化,因此,不同地区的康养旅游内涵、构成与产品形式是学术界研究的焦点之一。而在康养旅游的功能分析上,主要聚焦于对人的身体、精神以及生活质量等方面。最后,康养旅游者出游前的动机、旅游中的体验与游后的满意度和行为意向构成了康养旅游者研究的主体内容。康养旅游是中国旅游业转型发展的一条可行道路,应从国家政策保障、目的地建设和公民健康观念入手,培育中国康养旅游市场,提升全民健康水平。同时,文章也为未来中国康养旅游的研究议题提出了相关建议。     

Reproductive vibes: therapeutic atmospheres and the reproductive force of tourism mobilities

ABSTRACT

Drawing on a conceptual framework of therapeutic atmospheres, I explore the question of how a tourist destination reverberated with reproductive potentiality or a ‘reproductive vibe.’ I draw on ethnographic fieldwork attentive to the ‘charged atmosphere of everyday life’, to consider how reproductive possibilities unfolded in the Costa Rican Caribbean for some tourist women. Moving away from the autonomous, liberal, mobile subject as only ever a rational agent in reproductive decision-making, this article introduces new actors into the analytical and empirical framework of reproductive mobilities and cross-border reproductive care. I look at destination branding entangled with therapeutic ‘life affirming’ possibilities that emanated from local spaces and relations with the environment. In doing so, I trouble the irrational/rationality binary that dominates notions of reproductive decision-making to consider the role of affect, feelings, and bodies in reproductive subjectivities.     

Bite Mark Evidence in Crimes Against Persons

Abstract

Bite marks are often found on victims of homicide, sex crimes, and child abuse. Since this type of physical evidence often links victims and assailants, it is essential that bite mark evidence be recognized and properly preserved. The superior courts of several states and United States military courts have accepted this evidence as admissible.

This article is intended to familiarize college and university health workers and security personnel with the appearance of bite marks as they may be found on victims. Further, it describes techniques of photography and related procedures, necessary for the preservation of this essential evidence. Photographs of actual bite marks and diagrams illustrating correct techniques for photography are included. This article is intended to alert college health and security personnel that early recognition and preservation of bite mark evidence is essential to investigative procedures.     

Implementing Multidisciplinary Wellness Programs in Subsidized Housing: University–Community Partnerships

University–community partnerships (UCPs) are an important avenue for providing wellness services to seniors in subsidized housing, but there is sparse literature on this topic. The goals of this article are to (a) describe our UCP, which was unique in involving ethnically diverse older adults, and (b) discuss findings of an integrative literature review of UCP examples in subsidized housing. Results showed that UCPs typically received funding for program development and implementation; used multidisciplinary approaches to needs assessment and programming; and reported positive outcomes such as improvement in self-rated health or participant endorsements. This article provides insights and guidance for future UCPs that are much needed in subsidized housing.     

Impact of Social Work Spirituality Courses on Student Attitudes,Values, and Spiritual Wellness

Abstract

This paper describes the development and evaluation of two courses in spirituality offered at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The courses have been offered for the last three years and an evaluative instrument, the Spiritual Wellness Inventory (SWI), was utilized as a pre- and post-test for each class. Results showed a significant increase in five dimensions of spiritual wellness and will be described in detail.     

Social Entrepreneurship in Communities

The United States ranks low on many measures of population health. In addressing this societal problem, nonprofit health conversion foundations are emerging as important, local social entrepreneurs. We investigated the processes by which these organizations create and implement locally situated innovative approaches to promote health and wellness. Using an inductive, qualitative approach, we identified central themes by which conversion foundations, as social entrepreneurs, developed collaborative solutions to health. We found that they defined the social problem, generated social capital in the community, and educated potential partners. These mechanisms helped build a groundwork for collaboration among community actors. Conversion foundations then convened partners with complementary competencies to develop creative solutions. This research contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship and nonprofits by expanding understanding of how foundations can foster community collaborations to develop innovative solutions to social problems. Further, this study sheds light on the activities and processes of nonprofit health conversion foundations as actors with the potential to improve population health.