AOM Customer Series: AOM Support Networks

This is the 4th Article in our Collaborative Anti-Obesity Program Support Series, where Ann & I explore key project planning and programming considerations that must be addressed prior to implementing our Customer Support Programs. Today’s topic: AOM Customer Support Networks.

The following list of Planning Assumptions have been created to start the AOM Customer Support Network conversation.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #1A: The Need for an AOM Customer Support Network.

The following quote is from the: National Library of Medicine StatPearls Bulletin (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572076/) Pathophysiology of Obesity Overview Summary Deepesh Khanna;?Brian S. Welch;?Anis Rehman October 20, 2022 Update.?Continuing Education Activity/Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes Section.

“…………To manage and prevent obesity?requires an interprofessional healthcare team to be involved in patient management, such as physicians, nurses, nutritionists, dieticians, and exercise physiologists”.

We would like to add the following 2 paragraphs to this profound quote:

Paragraph #1: “…The T.E.A.M. will include appropriately trained and credentialed Fitness Professionals who are prepared to support Customers classified as a Special Population.

Licensed Support T.E.A.M. members engage with their patients, while Fitness Professionals concentrate on providing programming support to our Customers, Clients, and Students.

The Health & Fitness Sector clearly defines our scope-of-practice so that we can maintain professional boundaries and quality of support.

Paragraph #2: Whenever we identify that Customers, Clients & Students need support that is beyond our scope-of-practice, Fitness Professionals will reach-out to the appropriated Licensed Professionals in the AOM Support Network when and as needed”.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #1B: Supporting Program Customer Needs.

In Article #3, we had referenced the Customer Profile that included the following 2 Graphics that summarizes 3 categories of conditions that may adversely impact the Customer “Journey-to-Success” and Fitness Professional’s Program Design Processes.

By being an integral part of a Collaborative AOM Support Network, Fitness Professionals will have the proactive ability to keep our Customers on their Customer-Centric Journeys by adjusting their programs when and as needed.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #2: The AOM Support Network Professionals. ???????????? Because of the 3 Customer Profiles Planning Assumption #1B, the following graphic identifies the Professionals, within their scope-of-practices, who be in our Support Network.

We would also like to point out that the sharing &/or the exchange of Customer data/info, must include the execution of proper releases that are signed by our Customers, the Licensed Practitioners’ Patients.

Additionally, it's worth noting that a successful collaboration within the AOM Network offers a valuable, unspoken incentive: the potential for cross-referrals of Patients and Customers between participating organizations and professionals. We should note that these Support Services can be provided either “Live” or “Virtual”.

This list is in no way ‘absolute”. Each AOM Customer Support Network should reflect the needs of each particular organization. Again, our Assumptions are designed to get the Operational & Programming conversations started.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #3: How to Structure The Network.

Ann & I wish that we had a magic wand that we could wave and say “this is the best way to set up your AOM Network. We can’t…here are our thoughts.

Option #1. If you are a Life Time or Equinox, you will have the resources to selectively recruit the Licensed Members of your AOM Customer Support Network as employees. Challenge Solved…Case Closed.

Option #2. Facilities Certified by the Medical Fitness Association (MFA). This quote is directly from the MFA Website: “With a focus on medically sound prevention and rehabilitation programs, medical fitness centers play an essential role in the health and wellness of those individuals that they serve. The Medical Fitness Facility Certification process is an important step toward ensuring that your facility provides the quality and safety of the programs and services that are necessary to meet this critical responsibility. Certified medically integrated fitness centers feature the professional expertise and programming necessary to safely and effectively assist people, regardless of their current health statue, to develop, initiate, and maintain an active lifestyle that minimizes the risk of illness and disease and promotes health and wellness.” ????????????????????????????????????[https://www.medicalfitness.org/facility-certification].

Operationally & organizationally, these Certified Facilities will have, as a condition-of-recognition, Certified & Licensed Professionals on their Staffs.

Option #3. For the majority of Club & Studio Owners/Operators, we will have to reach deep into our trade areas and identify potential organizations and/or professionals who are subject-matter-experts in Obesity.

We should present this outreach effort as a mutually beneficial collaboration that aligns our facilities, programs and our customers with their professional services that can support their existing and prospective patients. The obvious win/win nature of this relationship is cross referrals.

Option #4: Entrepreneurial Fitness Professionals. For those Fitness Professionals who provide Programming Support for Customers who are in various stages of their "Journeys-to-Success", you will probably create and manage a scaled-down version of Option #3.

Again, none of these Planning Assumptions are absolute. They are designed to get the Operational & Programming conversations started.

As additional feedback & research becomes available, adjustments will be made accordingly.

Our final thoughts to our Readers……..If your current Operations & Programs can support the unique needs of your Customers, Great.

If not, are you prepared to “rethink” what you currently do so that we can collectively support successfully each Customer's needs, wants & goals?

Our next discussion……..The Branded Customer Support Intake/Onboarding Process!

Legal Disclaimer: The information that Ann & I are providing is for educational, operational & programming purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Our intention is to provide customer-centric operational & programming support for AOM Customers.

Ann Gilbert: Club Owner/Operator, Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator & Author. Creating Health & Fitness Sector Programming Solutions for Active & Inactive Agers Since 1983.

Bob Esquerre: Business Growth Strategist & Operations Analyst: Health & Fitness Sector Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator, Author. Creating?Health & Fitness Sector Business Solutions Since 1993.