The keys to a successful wellness program are persistent one-on-one outreach and follow-up counseling to encourage health improvement, adherence to treatment regimens, changes in lifestyle behaviors, and to prevent relapse. Periodic outreach and follow-up procedures provide employees with a safety net which keeps them involved in the program and prevents treatment dropout and relapse.

Counselors should follow up on employees at least every 6 months throughout the career of the employee at the worksite. The goals of follow-up are to:

• Involve employees who have health risks in treatment and risk reduction programs.



• Involve all employees in health improvement programs and worksite-wide wellness activities.



• Support employees in carrying out the risk reduction or health improvement activities they have chosen.



• Help employees comply with their treatment regimens.



• Prevent relapse.



• Prevent employees from dropping out.



• Help employees maintain behavior changes.

Follow-up can be conducted in person, by phone, mail, and via computer if the technology is available. Most preferable is an in-person contact. Computer programs which can do caseload management are available to help counselors track information and perform follow-up.