Health coaches fill the gap left by time-stressed doctors | Milford PA ... - The Pike County Courier

Published Mar 12, 2016 at 11:51 am (Updated Feb 29, 2016)

Patients experience it routinely.

A visit with a physician seems to be set to a timer. The doctor, who might not even sit down, asks a few perfunctory questions, makes a quick diagnosis, and refers the patient to a nurse for a prescription.

Then the doctor is off to the next patient.

On average, physicians spend about seven minutes with each patient. That time crunch may be putting a strain on the doctor-patient relationship, but it's also among the factors helping to create the growing field of health coaching. Health coaches act as mentors, motivating their clients to make better decisions in their diet and exercise routines, and assisting with stress reduction, all of which can lead to better health and fewer doctor visits.

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"The coaching industry has seen tremendous growth over the last seven or eight years," says Dr. Diana Hoppe, an obstetrician and gynecologist and founder of Amazing Over 40,a health coaching certification program for women. "Health coaches can devote more time to people than doctors usually are able to, building a relationship that leads to changes in behavior that can prevent diabetes and other chronic conditions."

Health coaching is growing because insurance companies are moving businesses toward more preventative health care for serious medical conditions, including diabetes, obesity and hypertension. And laws have changed so that physicians are now paid by Medicare for overseeing weight loss and other conditions in obese patients. Medicare also has been phasing in a plan that links a portion of doctors' pay to their performance. That plan will be completely phased in by 2017, making the need for health coaches even more important.

Health coaches sometimes work in doctor's offices or clinics, but they also can be found in corporate sites, community venues or working from home. Sometimes sessions with clients come over the telephone.

Hoppe expects the demand for health coaches to continue to grow, especially among women.

"Women are living longer and searching for ways to take better care of themselves from a preventative and nutritional standpoint," she says. "Health coaches will provide them the education and accountability they need to achieve their health goals."

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