Appendix 9A
Plans for Reaching Local Physicians

 

Wellness Bridge Planning for Reaching Local Doctors

Several weeks before the campaign was to begin, we had several meetings outlining the procedures we would follow as well as the deadlines we would need to meet.  We received a number of materials to begin our journey of the eight-week campaign.

Some of the items we received were:

          1.   Canvas carry bags with the campaign logo.

2.   Water Bottle(s)

3.   Tee Shirts with the campaign logo.

4.   Hand-out materials to be studied.  (These materials were very important because they were
      very informative and detailed.)

5.   Prescription pads.

6.   A sample of the Physician Packet, which included:  

a.   Pocket Folder with the campaign logo.
b.   Set of prescription pads.
c.   Log Sheets (Walking Diary)--along with the prescription, the physician would give
      the patient a eight-week log sheet so they could record their walking time.  These
      sheets would then be turned into the campaign at the end of the six weeks for the
      over-all community tallies.

7.   All of the above materials for the physician packets were given in bulk to The Wellness
     Bridge during this meeting.

8.   A list of all area physicians, including their addresses and telephone numbers, was given to
     the Wellness Bridge organization.

The first step in organizing for the campaign launch was to put together all of the physician packets.  We had the materials needed for each packet several weeks before the campaign actually began, so there was enough time to get them compiled.  We mapped out a time line of meetings so we could successfully complete our task:

TIME LINE

Meeting #1 - 2 Hours 

1.   Talked about the strategy we would use for the distribution of the physician packets and what our
      introduction would be when going to the physicians’ offices.

2.    Organized the packets so we could begin putting them together.

3.   Went over the physician list, separated it into groups, and assigned each of us a physician group
      list to contact.

Meeting #2 - 2 Hours

1.   Continued putting the physician packets together.

2.   Went over the procedure we would follow when presenting the materials to the physicians.

3.   Procedure used in Wheeling:

       a.    Introducing ourselves to the "Gate Keeper".

       b.   Presenting the material.

       c.   Shaking the person’s hand at closing.

       d.   Before going to another office you need to document what took place. We used one physician
             list and made notes beside each physician’s name.  This step is very important!

       e.   You also need a list of the physicians that were not in at the time of distribution. You will never
             remember once you start, and it could be very embarrassing to the campaign if a physician is
             left out.

        f.   Make sure you find out the hours of the physicians’ offices that were closed, so you can return
             within a couple of days.

Meeting #3 - 2 Hours

1.  This was a role playing meeting where we walked through the introduction and

     closing procedure.  We played with situations like:

--- Happy and receptive Gate Keeper.
--- Stern Gate Keeper.
--- Physical contact
--- Busy office.
--- Not interested Gate Keeper.
--- Gate Keeper refusing material.

2.  Practice documenting the situations.  This was a very important meeting because your group needs to be consistent.  May I stress that documenting each meeting is very important.  It helps with future meetings as well.  We were ready for the campaign to begin.

Meeting #4 - 2 Hours

Took place the 2nd week of the campaign.
During this meeting we did a check to make sure all of the physicians were contacted, and discussed the physicians’ responses to the WHEELING WALKS Campaign.

Don’t be alarmed if you are not received with open arms in the physician’s office. The ”Gate Keepers“ guard carefully.  You need to win the Gate Keeper over.  Just understand that some will not be won over. The word is "Next!"

Meeting #5

Took place at the end of the third week of the campaign.

During this meeting additional physician’s prescription pads were distributed to the consultants of The Wellness Bridge so they could follow-up with the physicians they had contacted during week #1 of the campaign.  Also, each consultant received one poster for each physician’s office.  These items were delivered to the physicians during week #4 of the campaign.

The response from some of the Gate Keepers and physicians was more receptive our second time through, than it was the first.   Actually, many said they were walking and keeping their own logs.  They were very excited about the posters, many of which are still hanging in their offices.

We remained alert for any physicians that may have slipped by unnoticed, but still may have needed information about the campaign, such as new physicians to the community who were not on the original physicians list.

During week 5 and 6 of the campaign we checked-in with the various physicians on their need for additional supplies.

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Appendix 9B
Patient Information Sheet & Walking LOG
-Assisting Your Patients Toward Better Health

 

Walking Program for the Sedentary Adult

 

Week One and Two:	Walk 10 minutes every other day
Week Three and Four:	Walk 20 minutes every other day.
Week Five and Six:	Walk 30 minutes every other day
Week Seven and Eight:	Walk 30 minutes every other day. Walk 10-20 minutes on two other days.
Week Nine and Ten:	Walk 30 minutes almost every day.

Check with your physician if you have two of the following risk factors: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease, over 50 years of age, chest pain or pressure. 

 

WALKING TIPS

Do it out your front door.  There is no travel time.

Call a friend to join you.  The time will pass more quickly, and you are more likely to not miss your appointment.

Stretch for three minutes when you finish.

Drink a glass of water before you start and another upon completion.

Listen to your body.  If you have any extraordinary aches and pains, take an additional day off.  Check with your physician if the pain lasts.  If you have chest pain, call your doctor immediately.

Treat yourself to a good pair of comfortable shoes

 

MY WALKING LOG:

Date	When, where, and how long you walked.	How it felt?	Other physical activities? (weight lifting, sports, vigorous chores, etc.)	Miles walked
S
M
T
W
T
F
S

                                                                                                         Total miles:      ______

Note: Under how it felt, put E (easy), M (medium), or H (hard).
Shoot for variety during the week, and try not to have two Hard days in a row.

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Appendix 9C
Prescription Pad