Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12680

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Coaching to support patients in making decisions
BMJ 2008 Feb 2; 336:(7638):228
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7638/228?etoc

Abstract:

An essential component of high quality clinical care is an informed and engaged patient.1 Although some patients have the necessary confidence and skills to participate in their care, others or their families need coaching to develop their skills. Over the past 15 years, health coaching has been evaluated in research interventions and is now provided mostly in call centres or management programmes for chronic conditions in North America, Europe, and Australia.

Coaching develops patients’ skills in preparing for a consultation, deliberating about options, and implementing change. Trained facilitators, who are supportive but do not make decisions for the patient, coach patients before or after an encounter with a clinician. Coaches are often nurses, but they may also be other health professionals or trained patients. Coaching is provided face to face between individuals or groups, or over the telephone, email, or internet. Human interaction is usually involved, but automated coaching using