Most of us are familiar with the concept of an annual physical: You schedule time with your primary care provider once per year to get an evaluation of your health, update your prescriptions (as applicable), and discuss potential lifestyle changes that could benefit your overall health and wellness.
However, when it comes to adding a biometric health screening to your to-do list, you may start to wonder: What’s the benefit of doing both, and how does one inform the other?
What is a biometric health screening?
Commonly known as a health screening, wellness exam, preventive health screening, or biometric assessment, a biometric health screening is a clinical assessment that focuses on measuring key health indicators like cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose to name a few through a simple blood draw via finger prick or venipuncture along with biometric measurements. These tests are part of a valuable health care strategy because they increase the potential for early detection and treatment of health issues and or conditions, ultimately lowering health-related risk and enhancing quality of life.
What’s the difference between a biometric screening and a physical?
While both biometric health screenings and physical exams play key roles in health monitoring, they serve distinct purposes.
A biometric health screening, conducted by a wellness technician, is focused on gathering data on specific health metrics. The goal of these screenings is not to diagnose or directly treat health concerns but to provide a snapshot of an individual’s overall health status. Through early detection of potential health risks, these screenings can play a role in preventing the onset or progression of chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes by creating awareness. This in return can motivate individuals to take actionable steps such as lifestyle changes or further evaluation from a primary care doctor.
On the other hand, a physical exam conducted by your physician is a comprehensive assessment of overall health and wellbeing. It typically includes a more in-depth evaluation of both physical and mental health. Unlike biometric health screenings, physicals allow your doctor to take diagnostic actions, such as recommending treatments, ordering additional tests, or creating a personalized health plan based on your unique needs, health history and risks.
A complementary approach to whole-person health
Seeing a primary care physician and attending workplace biometric health screenings both play crucial roles in a comprehensive wellness program. Fortunately, you don’t have to choose one over the other. In fact, when leveraged together, biometric screenings and regular physicals can ensure that employees are getting the best possible care. Here’s how:
Risk detection and intervention
Many biometric health screening companies now offer physician screening forms, which allow employees to submit results from their primary care physician as part of their company’s health initiative. This option enables employees to engage with their regular healthcare provider while still participating in the company’s wellness program and gives providers the opportunity to proactively work with people to address health concerns identified during their screening.
The early detection of risk factors, such as high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels, allows employees to take preventative action before conditions become serious. Not only can this improve employees’ quality of life, but it can also contribute to lower health care costs over time, as preventive measures often reduce the need for more costly treatments down the road.
Building health awareness
For workers who face barriers to primary care like a long commute or inability to take time outside of work to schedule an appointment, offering biometric health screenings onsite or through easily accessible offsite locations can help keep their health top-of-mind. When health screenings are readily available at work, employees are more likely to participate, empowering them to monitor their health in a time-efficient manner, and can encourage them to make a primary care appointment when health risks are identified. Meanwhile, providers can be kept in-the-know on how employees are managing chronic conditions with regular updates on important metric through routine biometric screenings.
Data-driven health and wellness initiatives
A key benefit of biometric health screenings in the workplace is the aggregate data they generate. Unlike individual physical exams, the anonymized data from biometric health screenings provides employers with an overview of collective health trends among their workforce. With data to support decision-making, companies can create targeted health and wellness programs, justify health initiatives, and measure the impact of these programs over time.
Embracing preventative health care
Preventive health care is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity for organizations that want to support the well-being of their employees. Biometric health screenings provide an accessible, non-diagnostic tool to gauge health risks early on, contributing to a proactive approach to health care. By investing in both biometric health screenings and flexible options for physician-based assessments, organizations can cultivate a healthier, more engaged workforce and take steps toward reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Ready to make biometric health screenings easy and accessible for your team while gaining valuable wellness insights? Contact eHS today to learn more about worksite biometric health screenings, physician screening forms, and other convenient solutions tailored for your workplace. Schedule a consult and start building a healthier, data-driven wellness program.