MEDICAL FITNESS 2006 ~ TRENDS & HOT TOPICS(1/9/06)
Richmond, VA. Jan. 9, 2006 -- This is an exceptionally busy time for the medical fitness industry. Continued growth is evident. There is an increased awareness throughout the entire health and fitness industry of the importance of medical fitness in our communities. The following is a compilation of 2006 trends and hot topics provided by key industry professionals. Their views for the future are intended to provoke thought and provide a catalyst for continued success while "making a difference" in the communities we serve.
Medical Fitness 2006: Trends & Hot Topics
- Physician Referrals. A growing emphasis will be placed on partnerships with the medical community resulting in seamless referrals to the medical fitness facility.
- Minority Outreach. The need to communicate with minority populations, addressing cultural differences when providing programs and services, is a top priority. Facilities are encouraged to widen their scope of services.
- Joint Commission (JCAHO). There is a developing trend for Joint Commission to include medical fitness centers in hospital surveys. Several recent JCAHO reviews included requests for medical fitness center staffing credentials and documented emergency plans. In-depth surveys of offsite facilities are on the horizon.
- Industry Growth. The number of medical fitness centers will continue to grow as hospitals and health systems throughout the country, and internationally, embrace medically supervised physical activity as a valid form of treatment and prevention.
- Reimbursement & Company Incentives. Health insurers will expand reimbursement to include a broader range of health education and wellness programs when prescribed by a physician for the treatment of disease. Employers will encourage physical activity and provide incentives to employees who consistently participate in health programs and services. Proactive efforts by medical fitness centers will help drive these benefits.
- Business Success. Medical fitness center projects, regardless of tax status, will experience growing financial success as closer attention will be given to market dynamics, thus driving facility size and scope of service. There will be continued emphasis on the medical fitness center as a business that is not only fulfilling its "mission," but is reporting revenues in excess of expenses to reinvest earnings back into the center--and/or affiliated hospital--to better serve the community. The medical fitness center focus was, is and always will be on building and maintaining the health of the community. Earnings are reinvested to help meet this mission.
- Clinical Integration. Medical fitness centers will continue to do what they do best: clinical integration. True integration is the blending of prevention (membership) and clinical services to the extent there exists no duplication of equipment, facilities or staff, and services are provided in a shared environment.
- Outcome measurements. The medical fitness industry will become the leader in efforts to define and track outcomes. Measurements are necessary to determine the benefits of health and fitness programs in disease management and to document success in changing negative lifestyle habits. The proliferation of technology will aid in data collection to support these efforts.
- Holistic Services. Incorporating mind/body/spirit programming with alternative treatment and therapies will expand program offerings and address the consumer's desire to seek out these services.
- Family and Community Health. Involving the entire family is key to the success of education and awareness programs. Family-oriented services will become more prevalent. Centers will partner with their local communities for events such as the MFA National Walking Challenge in April: Steppin' Out/70,000 Steps in 7 Days.
- Weight Management. Emphasis on practical nutritional education with doable goals and objectives will take the place of low-carb diets and the quick-fix. Redefining the simple message of "calories in/calories out" will become the theme for 2006 and into the future. Addressing the obesity epidemic in children will be an opportunity for innovative programming and services.
- Non-Dues Revenue. Pilates, yoga, tai chi, functional fitness and personal training will continue to grow. In addition, centers will focus even more resources on "seniors" and the over-50 population.
Please send comments and questions to: cwing@medicalfitness.org.
For more information about MFA and the medical fitness industry, visit http://www.medicalfitness.org. Join MFA today to begin receiving a complimentary copy of the ACSM Health & Fitness Journal, the official Journal of the Medical Fitness Association, and, a copy of the "Medical Fitness Model: Standards & Guidelines" to be released in February. Additional benefits are available at each membership level. Don't delay! Join your colleagues in "making a difference." Click here to learn about membership categories.
Medical fitness centers.....serving over 2 million people nationwide.
Founded in 1991, MFA, headquartered in Richmond, VA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to medically based fitness and wellness facilities. MFA is a professional membership association whose mission is to ascertain and respond to the needs of centers that are owned, sponsored or operated by hospitals and physician groups throughout the world. The organization also serves as a resource for hospitals and other healthcare-related groups ready to enter the wellness and fitness center market. MFA is an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. To learn more about MFA contact: Cary Wing, EdD, Executive Director, 804-327-0330 or info@medicalfitness.org; http://www.medicalfitness.org/
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