Health coaching is a way of helping people gain the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence they need to take an active part in their own health care. It helps them reach the health goals they want to achieve.
KEY POINTS
- Health coaching is useful if you are working with someone who has ongoing health issues or complex health needs.
- Its goal is to improve their long-term outcomes.
- It can include whānau members, so they can also support your client in achieving their health goals.
WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND HEALTH COACHING?
Health coaching is based on the saying that if you give a person a fish, they will eat for a day, but if you teach them to fish, they will eat for a lifetime.
It's not about one person rescuing another; it's about giving someone the resources to help themselves. Rescuing is appropriate for acute care when doctors need to take over and do something or tell someone what to do. But if someone has an ongoing health issue, rather than telling them what to do, a health coach works alongside them so they can manage their condition well and achieve the goals that they set.
WHAT DOES A HEALTH COACH DO?
Just like sports coaches, the role of a health coach is to inspire confidence in you, share knowledge with you and find ways to motivate you to achieve your goals.
They might help someone manage their appointments or medication, answer questions about their condition, or explain more fully why the doctor recommended they take certain actions. They will help them work out what they want to achieve and will help them find the support to do that. Health coaches have five roles, which are to:
1. provide support for their client to manage their condition themselves
2. bridge the gap between their client and their doctor
3. help their client find their way around the healthcare system
4. offer their client emotional support
5. be their client's ongoing first person to contact if they have a question.
| Self-management support | - Providing information - Teaching disease-specific skills - Assisting with the emotional impact of chronic illness - Encouraging follow up - Encouraging participation |
| Bridge between clinician and patient | - Serving as the patient's liaison - Ensuring that patient understands and agrees with care plan - Providing cultural and language concordance |
| Navigation of the health care system |
- Connecting the patient with resources - Facilitating support - Empowering the patient - Ensuring the patient's voice is heard |
| Emotional support | - Showing interest - Inquiring about emotional issues - Showing compassion - Teaching coping skills |
| Continuity | - Providing familiarity - Following up - Establishing trust - Being available |
