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BMC Primary Care

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

The “Health Coaching” programme: a new patient-centred and visually supported approach for health behaviour change in primary care

Authors: Stefan Neuner-Jehle, Margareta Schmid, Ueli Grüninger

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Health related behaviour is an important determinant of chronic disease, with a high impact on public health. Motivating and assisting people to change their unfavourable health behaviour is thus a major challenge for health professionals. The objective of the study was to develop a structured programme of counselling in primary care practice, and to test its feasibility and acceptance among general practitioners (GPs) and their patients.

Methods

Our new concept integrates change of roles, shared responsibility, patient-centredness, and modern communication techniques—such as motivational interviewing. A new colour-coded visual communication tool is used for the purpose of leading through the 4-step counselling process. As doctors’ communication skills are crucial, communication training is a mandatory part of the programme. We tested the feasibility and acceptance of the “Health Coaching” programme with 20 GPs and 1045 patients, using questionnaires and semistructured interviewing techniques. The main outcomes were participation rates; the duration of counselling; patients’ self-rated behavioural change in their areas of choice; and ratings of motivational, conceptual, acceptance, and feasibility issues.

Results

In total, 37% (n=350) of the patients enrolled in step 1 completed the entire 4-Step counselling process, with each step taking 8–22 minutes. 50% of ratings (n=303) improved by one or two categories in the three-colour circle, and the proportion of favourable health behaviour ratings increased from 9% to 39%. The ratings for motivation, concept, acceptance, and feasibility of the “Health Coaching” programme were consistently high.

Conclusions

Our innovative, patient-centred counselling programme for health behaviour change was well accepted and feasible among patients and physicians in a primary care setting. Randomised controlled studies will have to establish cost-effectiveness and promote dissemination.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/14/100/prepub

Title: The “Health Coaching” programme: a new patient-centred and visually supported approach for health behaviour change in primary care
Authors: Stefan Neuner-Jehle
Margareta Schmid
Ueli Grüninger
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-14-100

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The “Health Coaching” programme: a new patient-centred and visually supported approach for health behaviour change in primary care

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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