April - Benefits and Pensions Monitor

As we head into the warmer weather with
lingering aches and pains and dented
employee attendance records, it’s worth
remembering the importance of regular,
pro-active doctor’s visits, tests, and screenings.
Research has shown, time and again, that preventative
health measures save lives and contribute
significantly to quality of life. According to the Canadian
Cancer Society, up to 50 per cent of all cancers
are preventable. In 2007, the Ontario government
released figures stating that regular screening
for colon cancer reduces death rates for the disease
by at least 16 per cent. With these statistics in mind,
the old saying ‘prevention is the best cure,’ becomes
words to live by.
Many of us tend to put off doctor’s visits until
there is serious cause for an appointment, but annual
exams can provide tips for medications management,
weight loss, and of course, early detection of
potential medical conditions.
People to See
Studies suggest that 77 per cent of Canadians,
aged 18 to 64, visit a general physician annually, but
often it’s only to treat an immediate illness. Here are
prevent this disease. Ovarian cancer is also a hidden
cancer – often not caught and diagnosed in time.
◆ Dentist – Most oral health professionals recommend
that you pay them a visit once every four
to six months. Dentists also need to take regular
X-rays to detect cavities and gum disease or
evaluate growth and development.
Workplace Support
The main aim of a checkup is to detect illness at
an early stage, or better still, prevent it from occurring
in the first place. Despite the benefits, there are
a number of excuses people use to avoid regular doctors
visits. Some common ones include, “I don’t have
time to go to the doctor,” “I know I’m healthy, why
do I need someone else to tell me that,” “If something
was really wrong, I’d notice it and see my doctor right
away,” and “If it’s bad news, I don’t want to hear it.”
Human resources professionals are encouraged to
address employee perceptions and attitudes towards
their own health, and the company’s policies on time
away from work for illness and doctor’s visits. Creating a
supportive workplace culture that promotes overall wellness
and good healthcare practices can help to decrease
productivity loss, as well as monitor employee health.
The Importance Of Regular Checkups
a few suggestions for regular annual checkups:
◆ General physician or family physician – While
recommendations for annual exams are usually
meant for children and the elderly, Dr. Laurie Sabine,
of Grafton Family Care, says a once-a-year
trip to the doctor is a good idea at any age. Sabine
says “Everyone has a family history of something
that should be monitored by a doctor. I’m
watching their cholesterol, talking to them about
weight gain, or
making sure their
tetanus shot has
been updated.”
◆ Eye doctor – If
you have corrected
vision, many doctors
recommend seeing
an optometrist
annually to monitor
any changes. Those
of us lucky enough
to have 20/20 vision
in the past should
watch for changes
as we age.
◆
Urologist (for
men) – Prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among men. In addition to a testicular selfexam,
most doctors recommend that men over 50
have their prostate-specific antigen tested and a
prostate exam every year.
◆ Gynaecologist (for women) – Cervical cancer is
the second leading cancer killer among women
today. An annual Pap screening is the best way to
There are many ways employers and managers
can encourage employees to see healthcare professionals
regularly and practice good self-care. One of
the easiest things we can do is to explore and develop
workplace wellness options in the office.
In-office wellness clinics are a great initiative that a
number of workplaces are already utilizing. Many regular
screening measures – including those for diabetes,
blood pressure and cholesterol, osteoporosis, and vision
and hearing problems
– can be conducted onsite
by trained health
professionals without
employees ever hav-
ing to leave the office.
Employees
requiring
further healthcare can
then be referred to their
family doctor or an
appropriate specialist.
As well, compan-
ies can look into offering
alternative working
arrangements to
provide flexibility for
appointments, clinics,
and treatment times – something that may be particularly
attractive to older employees or those already
dealing with an illness or disability.
Promoting the importance and benefits of regular
checkups is vital in any workplace. Not only does it
help to prevent illness and unnecessary sick leave, it
also sends the message that employers and managers
care about health and wellness.
■
HEALTH
MATTERS
By: Caroline
Tapp-McDougall
Caroline Tapp-McDougall
is the publisher of
Solutions: Canada’s
Family Guide to Home
Health Care and Wellness
and the author of
The Complete Canadian
Eldercare Guide
(solutions@bcsgroup.
com).
Benefits and Pensions Monitor – April 2009
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