The modern healthcare system often struggles to influence the necessary lifestyle changes required to combat chronic illness and health issues caused by poor habits. In the United States, for example, over two-thirds of adults are overweight, and around 33% are considered to be obese. This concerning statistic raises a simple question: Can healthcare providers do more to motivate and educate patients to adopt healthier habits?
In order to promote and support healthier living, the development and implementation of a healthcare provider coaching model is desperately needed. But what would such a coaching model look like, and how could it be incorporated within the current healthcare system?
Ideally, doctors should be the primary motivators behind a patient’s lifestyle improvements. However, many physicians lack the necessary coaching skills to inspire change in their patients. With this in mind, employing specialized coaching staff could be the answer to this dilemma. By working directly with physicians, healthcare coaches can gain valuable insights into a patient’s medical history, lab-test results, and prescribed medications.
The primary concern for many healthcare providers is likely to be the financial implications of this coaching model. At present, health insurance companies provide billing codes for “provider direct to patient” interactions. This means that a coaching session can only be billed if the physician is present during the coaching process. However, this model can limit the effectiveness of personal coaching sessions and can result in higher costs for patients.
An alternative solution is to have healthcare providers offer cash-pay coaching services that sit outside of the traditional insurance billing process. By offering these supplementary services to those who are willing to pay for them, healthcare providers can ensure they are working with patients who are genuinely serious about improving their health.
Over time, it is possible that health insurance billing codes will evolve to encompass lifestyle coaching services. In such a scenario, healthcare providers will still be required to maintain accurate patient records for auditing purposes.
Coaches working within the healthcare industry will need to possess a solid understanding of the medical field in order to effectively work with patients. It is essential that coaches are able to tackle personal issues surrounding relationships, self-awareness, exercise, nutrition, and prescribed medications. Close collaboration with healthcare providers is also crucial when assisting patients in reducing their reliance on prescription medications.
Medical providers looking to adopt a coaching approach will need to show genuine care and empathy for their patients. Learning how to build trust with patients, helping them understand the consequences of their choices, and tactfully addressing emotional challenges is crucial in ensuring the success of a coaching model. Healthcare providers may also want to consider specialized training and certification programs, like the Lifestyle Coaching Certification offered by the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine. This comprehensive program can provide healthcare professionals with valuable coaching skills surrounding dietary health, emotional wellness, stress management, and much more.
In conclusion, personal lifestyle choices are often the leading factors contributing to chronic health issues and diseases. While prescription medication can play a significant role in managing health problems, coaching patients to adapt healthier habits is a far more sustainable solution. By providing healthcare providers with the necessary coaching tools or employing trained coaches, the current healthcare system can work towards inspiring change in their patients, ultimately improving the population’s overall health and well-being.
