Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. is partnering with Acclaim Ability Management Inc. to offer one-on-one coaching services to employees on short-term disability leave with mental-health issues.
With the goal of getting their employees back to work sooner, employers can choose between two offerings to lower the risk of STD turning into a long-term disability leave.
“We’re taking employee support to the next level by bringing in pharmacists to provide practical, cost-effective services throughout the treatment journey,” said Sean Bradley, president and chief executive officer at Acclaim Ability Management, in a press release.
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The coaches are pharmacists, available through Shoppers Drug Mart’s clinical health coaching program. Employees can access the coaches virtually or by phone, and services are available regardless of where employees fill their prescriptions.
The coaches will screen for chronic conditions that often affect mental health and provide recommendations based on those results; evaluate a patient’s medication regimen, identify drug therapy problems and recommend solutions; provide counselling on safe and appropriate use of medications; offer followup to assess adherence, side-effects and how well medications are working; and assist employees in setting goals and creating action plans.
The clinical health coaching program can also include pharmacogenetic testing.
“We’re excited to be providing better patient care by leveraging the expertise of our pharmacists in new ways,” said Mark Rolnick, vice-president of payor partnerships and plan sponsor innovation at Shoppers Drug Mart. “The coaching services provided can help improve the quality and speed of recovery, and help employees better manage their health once back at work.”
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