Health and Wellness Coaching Helps Patients Make Lasting Change
It all begins with an idea.
Health coaching for patients is an established concept that has been employed by insurance companies and integrated medical practitioners for decades. Initially, the focus on wellness aimed to address the rising incidence of chronic conditions such as cancer, becoming a public health initiative. Over the past 30 years, various healthy lifestyle changes have emerged, including the cessation of tobacco commercials, the promotion of exercise beyond sports, public health announcements regarding substance abuse on billboards and commercials, among others.
This movement expanded to include employer groups, where coaching became a crucial component of wellness programs offering incentives to reduce premiums. By 2000, insurance companies incorporated coaching into their customer services to enhance the utilization of insurance by clients, promoting adherence to treatment plans, scheduling services, taking medications as prescribed, and reducing emergency room visits.
Today's coaching experience is highly diverse, encompassing various dimensions of wellness, including physical, spiritual, emotional, and financial health and wellbeing. Professional coaches provide significant benefits for both patients and practitioners. Collaborating with a professional health and wellness coach adds an extra layer of communication for the patient. The coaching environment enables patients to navigate through different stages of change to eventually adhere to treatment plans and make lifestyle changes that improve their health.
Including a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) within the clinical team enhances the efficiency of other members, enabling them to concentrate on medical requirements rather than psychological concerns. Though coaching is not a substitute for psychological care in treating mental health disorders, it can offer valuable support to mental health practitioners. Coaching has consistently played a significant role in addressing public health issues. Essentially, coaching provides patients with an opportunity to express their concerns and deliberate on strategies for improvement. Ensure your patients feel that voicing their concerns and navigating the challenges of lifestyle changes are crucial. Integrate coaching prominently into your practice.