title: Study of nonparticipation in an employee diabetes program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine factors that affect nonparticipation in an employee diabetes program and factors that may increase participation in future employee health programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in this cross-sectional study were adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, 18 to 80 years of age, who were covered by employer insurance but chose not to participate in an employer-sponsored diabetes program. Potential factors affecting program participation were assessed through a face-to-face or mailed survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 204 employees or their dependents eligible for the diabetes program, 75 (37%) chose not to participate. Among the nonparticipants, 46 (61%) were eligible for this study. A total of 22 surveys were collected for a 48% response rate. The majority of those individuals surveyed (91%) were aware of the diabetes program and had been notified by mail (42%) or phone (29%). Of those surveyed, 33% did not believe that program incentives had been sufficiently explained to them. Work schedule was not found to be a determinant of participation. More than one-half (52%) of responders identified satisfaction with their current diabetes management as the most notable reason for nonparticipation in the employee diabetes program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that the primary reason for program nonparticipation was patient satisfaction with current physician management of their diabetes. In the future, companies offering health programs should emphasize that the program is being offered to supplement and complement current disease state management, not to replace it.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Universityof Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA. stephanie.brna@gmail.com
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brna
authors.forename: Janelle F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ruisinger
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hare
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult