How to Track Data Analytics for Wellness Programs

Wellness programs are difficult to track without consistent records. Often, wellness activities like meditation, yoga and massage are used inconsistently with various practitioners implementing the activity. The best wellness data is available when there is a baseline intake of health concerns and issues from the participants supported by their commitment to an entire program of eight to 12 weeks of attendance. Data collection tools include health screenings, attendance records, surveys, focus groups and interviews. Wellness activity data can be compromised by a lack of consistent participation and practitioner conflict of interest.

Things You'll Need

• Participatory health statistics
• Surveys
• Focus group and interview transcripts

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Instructions

Wellness Program Planning

• 1

  Collect a list of participants and screen for research participation. Use an application process that provides consistent tracking among specialized groups such as age, gender or educational level. Wellness programs with low participation do not provide statistically significant data. In tracking data for wellness programs, consider the attendance records of the participants. Include a systematic attendance record for the program, and input that data into a database. Cross reference the program's lists with the facilities records to ensure that the wellness program's meetings match. Any conflicts because of weather, holiday or illness should be assigned a makeup day.

• 2

  Use data collection tools from previous research studies. Collaborate with other organizations with the use of standardized surveys, interview questions and focus group questionnaires. Document any alteration of their materials. Perform pre-, intermediate, and post data collection from participants during the program. Screen for participation in focus groups and interviews during the wellness program application process. Garnish input for these qualitative data collection sessions by a neutral observer. Wellness program instructors and researchers have a conflict of interest in qualitative data collection and must not facilitate these groups.

• 3

  Transcribe video or audio data from interviews and focus groups. Use numerical labels to maintain participant anonymity. Include all information provided including, pausing, outside interruptions or inaudible content. Ask participants to update their survey input at specific intervals beyond the wellness program to log the perceived effects over time. Support this research data collection with incentives for completing additional surveys or other information gathering like interviews. Formalize the data analysis product in a report which identifies both successes and challenges of the collection process by the researcher.