Role and Scope of the Health Coach Flashcards
Upon completion of this deck, the learner will be able to define wellness, list characteristics of person-centered care, explain the role and scope of health coaching, describe similarities and differences between health coaches and other health professionals, and identify when to refer clients to other healthcare professionals.
According to research, what are some of the positive outcomes that are a result of health and wellness coaching?
- Improved exercise and nutrition behavior
- Decreases in blood pressure
- Decreases in body weight
- Decreases in hemoglobin A1C
Conflicts of interest generally occur in one of the following ways:
- A health coach outside interests and biases influence the coaching relationship
- A health coach uses their position for personal/financial gain or to benefit another entity in which the health coach has a financial interest
- A health coach’s outside interests cause harm to the client or patient
For example, conflict to the coaching relationship could happen if a health coach:
Assumes a female client cannot lift weights based on a personal bias
Pushes a client to only work out at a CrossFit gym that the health coach owns
Recommends a client do the keto diet based on the health coaches outside interest and experience with the diet and the client develops a fatty liver as a result
Define
Wellness
An active process where one becomes aware of, and makes choices toward, a more successful life.
While there are many definitions of wellness, almost all of them reflect the fact that wellness is multidimensional.
True or False
Integrative medicine techniques should be used even if there is the potential for treatment to not work and actually be more harmful to the patient.
False.
First and foremost, providers need to stay within their Hippocratic oath to “first do no harm”.
Define
Environmental Wellness
Seeking surroundings and locations that will promote safety and encourage support in all other aspects of personal wellness.
True or False
Health coaches should give the client advice on recommending a treatment plan.
False.
Clients should have full autonomy to think, decide, and act on which path of treatment is best for them. The role of the health coach is to identify different treatment plans and explain the pros and cons of each option in a nonbias way.
What things are considered ‘red flags’ the warrant referral to a mental health professional or another healthcare provider?
- Signs of serious illness
- Feelings of sadness or guilt, hopelessness, or despair
- Increased irritability or anger
- Impulsive risk-taking behavior
- Intrusive thoughts or inability to focus
- Chronic poor sleep
- Reported disordered eating
- Thoughts of self-harm or death
Define
Complementary Medicine
Medicine used in conjunction with, or as a supplement to, conventional medicine.
For example, a client with diabetes is meeting with a dietician to treat their diabetes. This client is also on metformin, a common diabetes medication. Diet would be considered complementary medicine to the medication, which is considered conventional medicine.
What are some of the modifiable behavioral risk factors of chronic diseases?
- Tobacco use
- Overuse of alcohol
- Insufficient physical activity
- Poor nutrition
- Prolonged periods of sitting or other sedentary behaviors
On average, one out of how many people have a chronic condition, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or diabetes?
One in Two.
An estimated 117 million people in the US have at least one chronic condition. An estimated one in four people has at least 2 chronic conditions.
Define
Emotional Wellness
The ability to handle stress over time, adapt to change, control emotions and feelings during difficult times, and use emotions to thrive in relationships.
True or False
Health Coaches are certified to write meal plans.
False.
In general, health coaches are not certified to create nutritional plans or meal plans for clients unless they have additional certifications or are a registered dietitian.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA), what are the eight dimensions of wellness?
- Occupational
- Physical
- Social
- Intellectual
- Spiritual
- Emotional
- Financial
- Environmental
While specific responsibilities will vary, all heath coach careers will have some responsibilities in what fields?
- Client-coach relationship
- Coach presence and self-awareness
- Health and wellness concepts
- Behavior change
- Motivation
- Coaching theory
- Ethics
- Standards of practice
According to the National Wellness Institute, what are the six dimensions of wellness?
- Emotional
- Occupational
- Physical
- Social
- Intellectual
- Spiritual
Define
Health
One’s ability to adapt and self-manage despite social, physical, and emotional challenges.
The old definition of health first stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 - the state of complete physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing - was altered due to the argument that this definition does not convey holistic health in terms of recognizing the connection between all types of wellbeing, including spiritual wellbeing or the argument that the term ‘complete’ is unrealistic.
What are the eight defining principles of integrative medicine?
- Patient and provider are partners in the healing process
- All factors that influence health are taken into consideration
- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods
- Effective interventions that are less invasive should be used whenever possible.
- Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically.
- Medicine is based on science
- Alongside treatment, broader concepts of health promotion and prevention of illness are paramount
- Practitioners of integrative medicine should exemplify its principles and commit themselves to self-exploration and self-development.
What are some examples of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM)?
- Meditation
- Deep Breathing
- Massage
- Herbal traditions
- Acupuncture
CAM used to be referred to as ‘Western medicine’. These medical practices were considered nontraditional but have been shown, through research, to have a positive impact on health.
According to the Illness-Wellness Continuum, what is the order of the Wellness Paradigm from premature death to high-level wellness?
- Premature death
- Disability
- Symptoms
- Signs
- Neutral point
- Awareness
- Education
- Growth
- High-level wellness
Define
Occupational Wellness
The ability to achieve work-life balance and have a job that is both meaningful and rewarding.
Define
Integrative Medicine
The practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between the healthcare provider and patient in which treatment focuses on the whole person and makes use of all appropriate approaches to healthcare that is evidence-based, including but not limited to conventional medicine (medications, surgery, etc.) and alternative medicine techniques (massage, acupuncture, herbal remedies, etc.).
