April 2004   In This Issue...   Front Page   Value Model   Toolbox   Integrated Program   Risk Management   Outcomes Connections Regulatory   Update Research   Review Interact   Member     Exchange     Forum Feedback	Using Outcomes to Demonstrate EAP Value Diane Stephenson, Ph.D., CEAP, Occupational Health Consultant, Federal Occupational Health Services, Chicago, Illinois Rick Selvik, LICSW, M.B.A., CEAP, National EAP Consultant, Federal Occupational Health Services, Chicago, Illinois The employee assistance program offered by Federal Occupational Health (FOH) serves more than 3.2 million government employees and their family members. The employees come from more than 400 different Federal agencies representing a variety of occupations, from criminal justice and transportation employees to scientific researchers. EA counselors, both affiliate and staff, collect outcome data from clients using four pre- and post-EAP counseling health status questions, an absenteeism question, and a counselor-assessed score from the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale. The four health status questions and the absenteeism question are asked at case opening and again at case closing; likewise, the EA professional assesses the GAF score at case opening and again at case closing. During the three-year period beginning July 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 2002, the EAP closed a total of 116,197 cases. In that same period, FOH gathered client outcomes data by incorporating the collection of pre- and post-EAP counseling outcome status into the EAP clinical process for all clients. The results described in this article are from the 59,685 cases (approximately 51 percent of all cases) containing both pre- and post-EAP data. Results of the pre- and post-EAP counseling outcome questions showed client improvement across all six outcome measures: (1) Productivity as affected by the client’s emotional problems; (2) Productivity as affected by the client’s physical health; (3) The impact of physical or emotional issues on work and social relationships; (4) Health status; (5) Job attendance; and (6) Global assessment of functioning (GAF). Unplanned job absence and tardiness decreased 67 percent after the EAP intervention, and the average GAF rose by 10 percent. Improvements were evident across all assessed problems. Clients with an assessed alcohol/drug problem reported lower health status at case opening compared to persons with other assessed problems, but recorded similar health status ratings at case closing. Improvements were evident across all numbers of counseling sessions, with the largest increments occurring between one and three sessions and smaller incremental improvements continuing as the number of sessions increased. FOH is using the findings for program evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous quality improvement activities and to develop new initiatives. We are also using the data to demonstrate the value of FOH EAP activities to our customers. Given the large number of clients involved in this outcome analysis and the consistency of the findings over the years, the data add significantly to the body of literature supporting the health and productivity benefits of EAPs. Ensuring Solutions, an initiative that focuses on addressing workplace alcohol issues, cited the FOH outcome study in an issue brief titled, “Investments in Alcohol Treatment Can Boost Employers’ Bottom Lines.” To quote from the issue brief, “The (FOH) report shows that 80 percent of workers who received treatment for an alcohol or other drug problem through the EAP reported in a follow-up survey that their work attendance improved following treatment. After treatment, employees and family members reported reductions in the number of days that work performance was hindered by emotional and physical problems. Nearly three in 10 reported improved general health after receiving treatment for alcohol or drug problems.” The complete results of this study will be presented at the Research Roundtable at the 2003 EAPA Annual Conference and published in the Journal of Employee Assistance. More information about the FOH EAP can be found on-line at www.foh.dhhs.gov/Public/WhatWeDo/EAP/eap.asp or by calling Diane Stephenson or Rick Selvik (312) 886-4215. To learn more about Ensuring Solutions, visit www.ensuringsolutions.org. DISCUSSION (Member Exchange Forum)   Back Issues   Top of Page   Contact EAPA   © 2004 Exhange On-Line is a publication of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, Inc. (EAPA). Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly prohibited. Publication of bylined articles does not constitute endorsement of personal views of authors. Appearance of paid advertisements does not constitute endorsement by EAPA.	Vol. 2    No. 1