| Primary Author: | Bonnie M. Gebhart, MBA, BSN, RN-BC |
| Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators: | Christine Reich, BSN, RN-BC, Vivian Low, MPH, BSN, RN-BC |
| Organization | El Camino Hospital |
Abstract
Purpose
To measure cardiovascular risk of hospital workers and study the effect of motivational counseling on behaviors and health measures.
Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in women (American College of Cardiology, 2010). To promote health for patients, healthcare providers must maintain their personal health and model healthy behaviors. Female healthcare providers may ignore their risk factors due to competing responsibilities and stressors. Reducing cardiovascular risk for this population supports their self-care and facilitates a culture of health promotion.
Materials & Methods
This randomized trial included female staff from a community hospital: age 40-65, self-selected with ≥1 CVD risk factor and “ready for change”. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention: weekly motivational counseling via phone or email incorporating goal setting and suggestions for overcoming obstacles; or control. Both groups were offered stress management and weight loss classes and access to a gym. Participants at baseline ranked importance and readiness to change for stress, weight, and exercise, and had health and behavioral measures taken. Main outcome measures included behavioral changes (amount of exercise) and changes in health status (weight, BMI, stress, BP, cholesterol).
Results
57 of 62 completed the study, and study groups did not differ at baseline. Ranked as highest concerns were weight (42%), stress (17%), and exercise (14%). The intervention compared to the control showed more: weight loss (7.2 vs. 3.8 pounds), stress reduction (6.5 vs. 4.7, Cohen’s Stress Scale) and more exercise days (1.4 vs. 1.1); had larger reductions in triglycerides (46.1 vs. 11.6) and total cholesterol (14.6 vs. 1.8). None of the differences reached statistical significance in this small sample, but all changes were in the direction favoring the intervention.
Conclusion
Participants responded to encouragement, compared to only having available health promotion offerings. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial among hospital workers to improve their health and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Bibliography
American College of Cardiology. (2010) Women and heart disease: learn about heart disease. Retrieved from: http://www.cardiosmart.org/HeartDisease/CTT.aspx?id=2638
Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24,385-396.
Zimmerman, G., Olsen, C. and Bosworth, M. (2000). A ‘Stages of Change’ Approach to Helping Patients Change Behavior. Am Fam Physician. 61(5):1409-1416.
© Improvement Science Research Network, 2012
The ISRN published this as received and with permission from the author(s).