Abstract
BackgroundWith health care shifting away from the traditional sick care model, many hospitals are integrating fitness facilities and programs into their clinical services in order to support health promotion and disease prevention at the community level. Through a series of focus groups, the present study assessed characteristics of hospital-affiliated integrated facilities located in Northeast Ohio, United States and members’ experiences with respect to these facilities.MethodsAdult members were invited to participate in a focus group using a recruitment flyer. A total of 6 focus groups were conducted in 2013, each lasting one hour, ranging from 5 to 12 participants per group. The responses and discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analyzed independently by research team members. Major themes were identified after consensus was reached.ResultsThe participants’ average age was 57, with 56.8 % currently under a doctor’s care. Four major themes associated with integrated facilities and members’ experiences emerged across the six focus groups: 1) facility/program, 2) social atmosphere, 3) provider, and 4) member. Within each theme, several sub-themes were also identified. A key feature of integrated facilities is the availability of clinical and fitness services “under one roof”. Many participants remarked that they initially attended physical therapy, becoming members of the fitness facility afterwards, or vice versa. The participants had favorable views of and experiences with the superior physical environment and atmosphere, personal attention, tailored programs, and knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive staff. In particular, participants favored the emphasis on preventive care and the promotion of holistic health and wellness.ConclusionsThese results support the integration of wellness promotion and programming with traditional medical care and call for the further evaluation of such a model with regard to participants’ health outcomes.
Highlights
With health care shifting away from the traditional sick care model, many hospitals are integrating fitness facilities and programs into their clinical services in order to support health promotion and disease prevention at the community level
Yang et al BMC Public Health (2015) 15:567. To facilitate such a paradigm shift, many hospitals and their respective health systems are expanding their reach by incorporating an approach that goes beyond traditional sick care to integrating fitness facilities and programs within their clinical services [4,5,6]
Aiming to reduce risk factors for disease, support patient recovery, and improve members’ health and wellness, Akron General LifeStyles offers convenient hours of operation, state-ofthe-art equipment, trained staff, spacious exercise areas, and health and wellness services tailored to individuals of all ages [10]
Summary
With health care shifting away from the traditional sick care model, many hospitals are integrating fitness facilities and programs into their clinical services in order to support health promotion and disease prevention at the community level. Aiming to reduce risk factors for disease, support patient recovery, and improve members’ health and wellness, Akron General LifeStyles offers convenient hours of operation, state-ofthe-art equipment, trained staff, spacious exercise areas, and health and wellness services tailored to individuals of all ages [10]. While such hospital-affiliated integrated facilities represent an opportunity to promote health and well-being within the health care system and community, research on what services these integrated facilities offer and how these services may promote health and wellness within the community is lacking [8]
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