Employee wellness programs can potentially contribute to a stronger and healthier work force, with increased dexterity and positive mental health. Programs that keep the work force physically active can reduce heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular accident, and workplace injury. The occupational health nurse provides information to motivate employees to take the first step toward an active lifestyle. The purpose of this article is to present the qualitative evaluation results of an intervention study that tested the effectiveness of tailored e-mail communications designed to increase intentional physical activity in a group of manufacturing workers. The increase in overall physical activity demonstrates the effectiveness of the workplace interventions. Research will now strengthen theoretical concepts, refine messages, and increase both the dose and the power of the interventions.

egular physical activity is essential to improving health in U.S. society. Research has shown many benefits to regular physical activity (Warburton, Nicol, & Bredin, 2006), including improved weight control (Irwin et al., 2003), reduced lipid profiles, increased high-density lipoproteins, and lowered low-density lipoproteins (Dattilo & Kris-Etherton, 1992). Regular physical activity also improves musculoskeletal fitness, leading to fewer functional limitations, improved mobility, and overall improved quality of life (Warburton, Geldhill, & Quinney, 2001). An inverse relationship between frequency and intensity of exercise and risk of disease was established; thereby, highly physically active individuals are at the lowest risk for disease (Warburton et al., 2006). A physically inactive population is at risk for several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression, and osteoporosis (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002; Warburton et al., 2006). Along with the increased incidence of disease in a physically inactive population are economic consequences of increased morbidity and mortality among those with chronic disease. The economic costs of chronic disease are two-pronged; direct costs include those associated with prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic conditions (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002) and indirect costs include the value of lost wages to the individual who is unable to work and the value of future earnings that may be lost due to premature death (U.

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Fifteen years ago the College published guidelines for the training of general psychiatrists in psychotherapy and these have now been reconsidered in the light of subsequent developments. (Bulletin, October 1986, 10, 286–289). However there is considerable doubt as to the extent to which the previous guidelines have been effective and those responsible for training schemes should consider whether they are providing or can provide the training suggested.