Employee health assessments and employee health checks
Posted on 19th June 2024 at 15:00
One of the first things our corporate clients ask about our Verve health assessments is: 'what does it include?'
👍 Great question, we would love to tell you.
We have three Health Assessment packages for you to build into your wellbeing strategy and benefits package for positive health- Essentials, Extended and Comprehensive.
All three have been put together by clinicians, and designed to identify and inform health risks. We are a healthcare company, part of SELDOC Healthcare which has been providing GP and medical professional services to the NHS for almost 30 years. Our experienced practitioners already handle 10,000 appointments every month - we know healthcare.
Plus - with all three, we will arrange clinics to suit your people's needs, in a clinic that you can get to, an online booking panel and a self-service dashboard that means you maintain an overview; this company health report means you can keep on top of the current health status of your people, workplace wellbeing and workplace health. We can work with your occupational health provider or alongside any other employee health screening you carry out.
Your staff are arguably your most valuable asset - and helping them manage their current health and future health risks through affordable health assessments as part of your employee wellbeing platform is just one way you can keep them healthy, happy and productive and cut down on absentee rates.
So, without further ado - we present our contribution to the employee journey:
🌞 Verve Essential
〰 Height and weight, waist and Body Mass Index, with insights for keeping body fat at optimal levels. This is one the basic health checks that can provide a lot of insight for key health risks in itself.
〰 Cholesterol, Vitamin D, Iron studies and diabetes check
〰 Blood pressure readings and blood oxygen
〰 General health and lifestyle review
🌞 Verve Extended - all the above plus:
〰 Essential blood tests: full blood count, kidney and liver function, prostate cancer or female cancer markers
〰 Virtual GP appointment to discuss results and expert guidance for changes an employee may wish to make to promote a positive lifestyle
🌞 Verve Comprehensive - all the above plus:
〰 Thyroid function test, urine analysis, bowel cancer screen, cardiac enzymes, inflammatory markers
〰 Resting ECG (heart health)
〰 Rather than a general review, a top to toe health and lifestyle review
〰 Male-specific health checks and 40s)female-specific health checks plus guidance on self examination
〰 Rather than a virtual, a face-to-face GP appointment to discuss results
Our Verve Health Assessments also go really nicely with one of our other healthcare services Verve On Demand, a pay-as-you-go mental health, physiotherapy and private GP service. It's a popular option to include our other services into the benefits for employees that your company offers.
What's the difference between an employee health assessment, health check and health screening?
These terms are sometimes spoken about interchangeably, but what do they mean? It's interesting to see the different definitions so that you can make an informed choice about procuring what your people need and the questions you should ask when picking a provider. For example:
Does it include mental health assessments or a mental health review?
Is there a pre-check questionnaire?
Will it provide a blood profile or specific answers like a prostate cancer blood test?
Does it give insight into employment risks for example lung disease in commercial settings?
Will it bring in medical history insight from outside assessments or expert advice?
What about if my staff member has specific questions, say if they have concerns about their metabolic rate or skin health?
Who will oversee the appointment - health advisor or a doctor?
Are any conditions identified covered by our business health insurance?
Will they dovetail with current health assessments?
Will they address current health concerns and medical history?
Will this constitute comprehensive company health screenings?
From an entry-level health check to an extensive well-person health screen, make sure that you and your provider are on the same page as it's easy to get lost in definitions in the quest for healthier lives.
Let us try to make a distinction in this article:
What is an employee health check?
A staff health check is a routine examination conducted by a health professional within the employee health check provider to assess an individual's overall health status. It may involve various tests and measurements, including blood pressure, heart rate, body mass, and urine analysis. The primary aim of staff health checks is to identify any potential health issues early and to monitor ongoing health conditions and future health risks. There may be a pre-check questionnaire.
Definition and purpose of a health check
Health checks are essential tools with core health tests in preventive healthcare. They can help detect health problems before they become serious, ensuring timely intervention and management. Regular health checks can include tests such as blood samples, blood glucose levels, and kidney function tests, which are crucial for identifying conditions like chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.
Importance of regular staff health checks
Regular access to health checks can be useful for maintaining optimal health. They help monitor changes in health status and manage risk factors such as high blood pressure and blood vessel issues. Annual health checks can play a crucial role in preventing severe health issues like heart disease and kidney disease, and keeping an overview on potentially problematic health conditions by highlighting issues and making time for health advice.
The NHS also offers health checks for people aged between 40 and 74 who meet certain criteria.
What is a health assessment?
A health assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's health, often conducted by a healthcare professional. It may touch on a person's medical history, family history, and current health concerns.
Definition and purpose of a health assessment
Health assessments are often defined as being more detailed than regular health checks. They aim to provide a holistic view of an individual's health, encompassing core health tests. These assessments can identify underlying health conditions and offer tailored recommendations to improve overall health.
Types of health assessments
Different providers offer various types of health assessments, including patient health assessments, sexual health checks, musculoskeletal health and assessments focusing on specific health conditions like cardiovascular health or female and male-specific health checks. Health assessments often include comprehensive tests, such as those offered by NHS Health Checks, to evaluate different aspects of health.
What is health screening?
Health screening involves testing individuals for specific diseases or conditions before symptoms appear. The goal is early detection and prevention. Screenings can identify individuals at risk for conditions like coronary heart disease, cervical cancers, and bowel cancer, enabling early intervention and better health outcomes.
Definition and purpose of health screening
Health screenings are designed to detect diseases at an early stage when they are most treatable. They can involve various tests, including blood tests, urine samples, and imaging studies. Screenings for conditions such as chronic kidney disease and lung function are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
Types of health screenings
Different types of health screenings are available depending on the target condition. Common screenings include cardiovascular screenings, cancer screenings, and screenings for chronic diseases. Some health screening services aim to ensure early detection and management of health issues.
Differences and similarities between health checks, health assessments, and health screenings
While health checks, health assessments, and health screenings have overlapping components, each serves a unique purpose. Health checks are routine evaluations to monitor general health, health assessments provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's health, and health screenings focus on detecting specific conditions early.
Overlapping components and objectives
All three approaches aim to improve health outcomes through early detection and management, and so it is easy to get them confused.
Unique focus of each
Health checks: Focus on routine monitoring and early detection of general health issues.
Health assessments: Provide a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of overall health.
Health screenings: Target specific diseases and conditions for early detection.
Benefits of health checks, health assessments, and health screenings
Early detection and management of health risks
Regular health checks, assessments, and screenings can be useful for the early detection of diseases. Identifying conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and cervical cancers early is associated with better health outcomes.
Monitoring overall health and well-being
Consistent monitoring through health checks and health assessment programs helps maintain optimal health and well-being. It enables healthcare professionals to track changes over time and adjust care plans accordingly. It's like a health check point!
When to consider health checks, health assessments, and health screenings
The frequency of health checks, assessments, and screenings depends on age, risk factors, and personal health circumstances. The timing and frequency of health checks and corporate health screenings may vary based on individual needs; you may need a snapshot health screen or a more regular programme.
Age-specific considerations
Different age groups have specific health needs. For instance, younger individuals may benefit from lifestyle health checks, while older adults may require screenings for cardiovascular diseases, problematic health conditions and cancers.
Risk factors and personal circumstances
Personal health history, family history, and existing health conditions influence the need for and frequency of health checks, assessments, and screenings. Individuals with a higher risk of heart attack, for example, are advised to undergo more frequent cardiovascular health assessments. If a workplace or a situation may be more prone to emotional stresses, then mental health screens may be useful for companies to best identify issues and best support their people
Incorporating regular health checks, comprehensive health assessments, and targeted health screenings into a corporate wellness program may significantly enhance the health and productivity of employees. Verve Healthcare is committed to helping employers achieve a healthy, happy, and productive workforce through our tailored health assessment proposition.
As a business owner or HR leaders, you will know the huge benefits of investing in employee benefits schemes and wellbeing for staf. Having an active lifestyle and positive approach to health does not just make sense for the individual - it makes financial sense for the business too in terms of productivity, reduced sickness absense, reduced presenteeism and a boost to morale.
Share this post: