Health coaching

Abstract

Faithful adherence to the four principles of medical ethics is not possible in the rushed, 15-minute primary care clinician visit. Health coaching-performed by other members of the health care team-can increase the chances that the ethical tenets will be followed for every patient. The coaching must assist patients to understand their care plan; know their current state of disease control, their goal, and how to get from here to there; engage patients in shared decision making, which increases the likelihood of good clinical outcomes; help with realistic behavior change that the patient agrees with; and work with patients to overcome barriers to medication adherence.