Encouraging habit changes in health service employees

Abstract

Introduction: Good lifestyle habits contribute to good health. According to the transtheoretical model, habit changes go through several stages. In the pre-contemplation and contemplation phases, it is necessary to raise awareness of the need for change and questionnaires can be an instrument for this. In the preparation and action phases, the work of the multidisciplinary team can help implement these changes. Objective: To present some actions carried out at Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein (SBIBAE) to promote the health of its employees. Methods: SBIBAE annually applies a self-reported questionnaire to its employees that addresses 6 areas: Physical Activity, Food, Behaviors and Attitudes, Your Care, Well-being and Health at Work. At the end, an overall grade for each of the domains is shown, as well as an invitation to participate in health workshops or Physical Activity groups. Each person is called to different activities, individually, according to the areas with the lowest scores, such as the Lifestyle, Weight, Sleep, Smoking Cessation, Anxiety or Positive Psychology groups. At each meeting, the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (Nutrition, Physical Activity, Sleep, Toxic Control, Stress Management and Social Connections) are worked on, but with different approaches for each group. Results: In 2022, 74.6% of 15,194 employees responded to the health questionnaire. Score in 2020: Physical Activity 48, Nutrition 62, Behaviors and Attitudes 84, Your Care 74, Well-being 81 and Health at Work 88. Score: Physical Activity 54, Nutrition 62, Behaviors and Attitudes 80, Your Care 76, Well- being 85 and Health at Work 82. The score for physical activity, Your Care, Wellbeing increased from 2020 to 2022. Number of participations in activities: 3457. Conclusions: Changing the habits of a population is a big challenge. Resources that encourage the practice of good lifestyle habits virtually make it possible to reach a greater number of people, but it takes time for an impact on employees' lifestyles to be seen.