In the current context of the labor market, companies that want to stand out can no longer content themselves with offering competitive salaries to recruit and retain their employees. In this regard, a benefits portfolio that includes a personalized health plan and access to virtual care can make all the difference.
Digital transformation, inclusive management, culture of well-being, telecommuting: the business world is changing, and the benefits offered to employees must follow new trends. Today, job seekers consider the quality of healthcare services to be a clear indication of how a company treats its employees. That’s why personalized health programs that promote care, virtual platforms, access to telecare, and prevention efforts are key to fostering worker engagement and overall workforce health.
One thing is certain: the pandemic has played a decisive role in the perception of telecare. With clinics and medical offices closed as a precaution, virtual consultations have become the norm in physical health and, increasingly, in mental health. Workers faced prolonged periods of uncertainty, stress and isolation, leading to a marked increase in issues such as anxiety or burnout. Hence the importance not only of offering a mental health program, but also of promoting it to employees.
A state-of-the-art digital solution
Over the past ten years, TELUS Health, a division of the Canadian telecommunications technology company, has brought to market multiple digital virtual care solutions as well as a national network of medical clinics. Together, these propositions make up a comprehensive benefits portfolio designed to help companies build a culture of wellness and health. The main services of this program include TELUS Health Wellness, TELUS Health Virtual Care and TELUS Health Life Path solutions.
Prevention to reduce risks
The TELUS Health Wellness program, which will launch on November 1, is designed to help employees and their families adopt healthy habits that will help improve their overall health and enable them to achieve their personal health goals. life. Human-centric and based on the principles of machine learning and behavioral algorithms, it offers the user a personalized and scalable interactive experience. The solution offered relies on monthly programming including challenges and rewards, personalized communications, content and ideas to inform, motivate and mobilize employee engagement.
This proposal is part of a continuum of comprehensive care. The ultimate goal: to help people live happier and healthier lives, and to enable employers to act effectively on the results associated with the well-being of their staff. Among the benefits measured among users are the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, arthritis and low back pain, as well as a significant increase in the level of physical activity.
Rising demand for virtual care
Today, the top benefits sought by employees are, unsurprisingly, basic dental services, eye exams, glasses and contact lenses, and pension and retirement savings plans. However, as a direct result of the pandemic, virtual healthcare is gaining popularity and is increasingly seen as essential.
To meet demand, the TELUS Health Virtual Care solution provides basic physical and mental health care to all plan members. Employees and their families have on-demand access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to a wide range of personalized care, with no limitations on the number or duration of consultations.
In particular, the program allows personal interaction with a vast network of health professionals. A team of clinicians responds in minutes to member requests through email or video consultations, all encrypted to ensure the confidentiality of exchanges. The offer includes the following services in particular: advice on prevention, medical consultations and diagnoses, management and renewal of prescriptions, referral to medical specialists, medical imaging and laboratory analyses.
Particular importance is given to mental health, which occupies an important place in the current context, with primary health care offered 24 hours a day by nurse practitioners.
Employers who incorporate a physical and mental health care program into their benefits portfolio put the overall well-being of their employees at the heart of their business strategy. This approach plays a leading role in reducing the rate of absenteeism, in optimizing productivity and in the professional development of work teams.
A one-stop virtual shop
The offering is complemented by the TELUS Health Life Path employee assistance program, which provides all plan members with a single, fully integrated virtual entry point. The application relies on a personalized approach, provided by care ambassadors who interact online with individuals and who coordinate for them physical and mental health services, nutrition consultations, as well as access to reconciliation resources. work and personal life. These Ambassadors hold degrees in a health-related field, such as nursing, psychology and social work, and all have strong experience in multidisciplinary clinical environments.
The preventive approach advocated by this application is accessible at all times, regardless of where you are in Canada, in both official languages. It makes it possible to establish a more balanced lifestyle, which helps employees to better resist stress, and which contributes to preventing and better managing chronic diseases.
A lever to optimize human resources management
Providing industry-leading health care benefits to all employees, including those working part-time or in temporary, casual and contract positions, puts the overall well-being of teams at the forefront. front and center and plays a key role in reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity.
In any case, regardless of the programs offered, organizations must ensure that they clearly communicate the nature of the coverage offered to employees, particularly in terms of mental health and virtual health care. A strategy to be adopted not only at the time of recruitment and integration, but also continuously, throughout the career of employees within the company. This is the best way to ensure that the services offered give the expected results.
Learn more: telushealth.com/employeecare
TELUS Health is a global healthcare company that provides preventive care and wellness solutions for employees and their families. In addition to providing unparalleled customer service to already more than 50 million people, the TELUS team and 100,000 other healthcare professionals rely on TELUS’ digital capabilities and data analytics tools to transforming outcomes in curative, preventive and mental health care around the world.
This content was produced by Le Devoir’s special publications team in collaboration with the advertiser. Le Devoir’s editorial team had no role in the production of this content.
Learn more about TELUS Health