An executive health services programme aimed at busy business leaders, and others, who would benefit from having a consolidated and comprehensive health screening, has been explained by a visiting team from Massachusetts General Hospital.

The benefits include saving time by having, where appropriate, access to multiple specialists and experts in a concentrated appointment; the opportunity to discuss at greater length health concerns, such as family health history and risk factors, and to receive advice on fitness, nutrition and suggested lifestyle improvements.

The Executive Health Services programme, based at the hospital, has been running for decades and it has served corporate clients from Bermuda for many years. The majority of users are corporate clients who provide it as a benefit to their executives, although there are also individuals who use the service out of personal choice.

While on a visit to Bermuda this week to gain a deeper understanding of healthcare and conditions on the island, three senior members of the programme spoke about what it offers.

They said a key benefit is that rather than an individual having to schedule a variety of local appointments and tests with different practitioners and specialists — often spanning multiple days — the executive service can coordinate tests, examinations and consultations so that they can be completed in a single day, or over two days, minimising the individual’s time away from the office and their personal life.

Also, it is a medical appointment that is less likely to be forgotten or missed due to its concentrated nature and the need to travel.

Misty Hathaway, senior director, international and specialised healthcare services, at Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “It creates an opportunity for a business-person to take a few hours out of their day to focus on their own health; taking that time to focus on their health.”

The programme is centred on an extensive conversation with a senior member of the internal medicine staff, and includes preventive screening and discussion on current health and an opportunity to raise concerns and receive recommendations on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

David Finn, medical director at Executive Health Services, used a business world analogy to describe the service. He said it could be viewed in a similar fashion to financial planning or an investment portfolio, but for health.

“You go to your doctor for a checkup. This [Executive Health Services] is where you have an opportunity to address additional concerns.”

He said the service helps to guide an individual through different aspects of health and wellbeing. Giving examples, he said those concerns could be about diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. The programme gives an individual an opportunity to meet nutritionist and learn about aspects of a healthier lifestyle.

“You can get cancer screening and do it in a way that really saves time.”

The consultative examination is described as a complement to the regular primary care an individual receives, not a replacement.

Dr Finn said that while each of the services can be achieved locally, that might amount to scheduling many days of appointments. “We can do that on one day, more or less.”

That is made possible by having access to specialists across a spectrum of disciplines.

Depending on what issues or concerns a patient presents, they could see a fitness coach, be given help on how to reduce stress, undergo cognitive tests, cancer screening or other examinations.

If they have specific concerns, these can be raised ahead of time so that meetings with relevant experts and specialists can be scheduled.

The executive physical is described as “an annual comprehensive physical with the Massachusetts General hospital internist, and may include speciality consultations as needed”.

Each patient receives a confidential personal summary report that is not shared with their employer. It is only shared with the individual’s regular physician if the patient gives permission, although this is “highly encouraged”.

J. Jordan Romano, physician, international and specialised healthcare services, said the benefits can also depend on who the person is, and on having expert eyes look at their past and present medical history. The opportunity to have a consultation and discussion lasting for an hour or more can also help identifying potential issues.

Meanwhile, Ms Hathaway said: “There is the efficiency benefit, an overall wellness and productivity benefit, and risk management.”

• Further details about Executive Health Services at Massachusetts General Hospital, are available at https://www.massgeneral.org/executivehealth/