A pilot study of health and wellness program development in an International Center for Clubhouse Development (ICCD)...

This article describes the development, implementation and results of a health and wellness initiative at an ICCD Clubhouse in North Carolina.

This pilot study used a collaborative and consultative focus group process to identify sustainable health and wellness programming components, and then used networking to develop community resources in order to implement and sustain these components at the Clubhouse. The series of focus group questions was based on Glasser's (1998) choice theory; focus groups included members and staff, and had the support of Clubhouse administration. Once focus groups identified specific health and wellness categories of interest to members, program developers located and initiated links with potential presenters, volunteers, and/or local resources. Approximately one year after the final focus group, followup health and wellness surveys were administered to members and staff at a Clubhouse community meeting to assess perceptions of health and wellness at the Clubhouse after all planned components had been implemented.

Using a choice theory approach to health and wellness programming development in this ICCD Clubhouse venue involved members and staff collaboratively in identifying health and wellness components for the Clubhouse that have been implemented and sustained for over thirteen months.

Choice theory-based focus group outcomes are currently being assessed for another three Clubhouse health and wellness initiatives. This approach to health and wellness program development may also be effective in other programs that provide services with and/or for this population.