Employee Satisfaction with Onsite Clinic and Collaborative Care Pharmacy

Abstract

Background: On-job-productivity loss (presenteeism), voluntary non-attendance at work (absenteeism), work-related injuries, and the wage replacement cost of disability are major factors promoting the need for employer-based onsite health clinics. Objective: To determine employee satisfaction with an employer-based clinic and pharmacy. Design: One-group pre-test-post-test research design. Setting: One utility company in South Eastern United States. Participants: A convenience sample of employees (n = 20) working for the utility company. Methods: Company employees were emailed an informational letter announcing the study, including instructions on how to participate. Consent was sought by a research assistant, not associated with patient care, to avoid perceptions of coercion. Participants were given a pre- and post-care survey to complete privately before and after their scheduled appointment. Results: Ten participants showed no change in perception of quality of care and service; Ten participants gave higher quality of care and service ratings following use of the on-site clinic and pharmacy. The median change score was +0.50, which was statistically significant with the sign text (p = .002, two-tailed). Results reflected a higher degree of patient satisfaction and more positive perceptions of care based on the use of the employer-sponsored onsite clinic with pharmacy. Conclusions: Results suggest participants’ satisfaction and positive perceptions of care increased once participant experienced the services of the onsite clinic and pharmacy. As a result, employees are more likely to seek treatment. Companies may benefit from increased attendance and higher productivity when accessibility to a health care provider and medications to treat an acute illness exist.