Impact and clinical outcomes of a pharmacist and dietitian co-led employee wellness program

Background: Hypertension and diabetes are prevalent chronic disease states. Pharmacists and dietitians collaborated to develop and implement employee benefit programs for hypertension and diabetes at a regional grocery store. The hybrid program included virtual education modules and check-in calls to monitor participants. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to measure the change in blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and/or weight through program participation. The secondary objective is to evaluate the participants’ reported impact through survey results. Methods: Blood pressure, HbA1c, and weight data were collected at baseline and 3 months post-program participation. Investigators utilized descriptive statistics and a paired t-test to evaluate retrospective clinical data. Participants were recruited via email to complete a questionnaire to assess the reported impact.The questionnaire evaluated the impact on health, quality of life, lifestyle modifications, and knowledge through a four-point Likert Scale. Questionnaire data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: A total of 15 participants completed the employee wellness program, with 80 enrolling in the hypertension program and 35 in the diabetes program. Of the 115 participants, 66 chose to complete the survey. Clinical results of the hypertension program were average changes in systolic blood pressure of -4.15 mmHg (p<0.014), diastolic blood pressure -3.55 mmHg (p<0.001), and weight -2.95 lbs (p=0.001). Results of the diabetes program were average changes in HbA1c of -0.43% (p=0.004) and weight -4.57 lbs (p=0.004). Participants reported a positive impact on all aspects evaluated through the questionnaire. Content analysis identified program benefits including knowledge gained, condition improvements, positive experiences, and willingness to recommend to others. Conclusion: There was a clinically and statistically significant reduction in blood pressure, HbA1c, and weight from completing a pharmacist and dietitian co-led employee wellness program. Participants reported a positive impact on health, quality of life, lifestyle, and understanding of their condition.