J.A fictional middle-aged man, ohn, was informed at work about a new workplace wellness initiative. The initiative offers, among other things, two free sessions of his with his coach Health. John jumped at the opportunity right away — his doctor even suggested he consider working with a health coach, who recommended many lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, and supplements. and John does it conscientiously.
Everything is going well until he suddenly experiences shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and sudden sweating. One of the supplements recommended by the health coach turned out to be a side effect of the medicine prescribed by the doctor.The health coach never asked John about the medicine.
Health coaches are supposed to be the next big thing in healthcare and public health. Consider the 2021 New York Times article. Health coaches are not widely used, but they have great benefits. Similarly, in his 2020 post on his Harvard School of Medicine blog, a doctor touts the benefits of her coaching health.
For between about $50 and $150 per session, you can hire a health coach yourself. In 2021, one market research firm estimates his US market value at $7 billion.
It’s easy to see why both clients and workplaces find health coaches appealing. In theory, people could receive more personalized healthcare and health advice. With an estimated 13-24 minutes for a primary care physician to spend with each patient, it is clear that patients welcome regular meetings with someone who is knowledgeable about their health concerns and goals.
But there is a problem. Basically anyone can call themselves a “health coach” and take on clients.
Without adequate training, even well-intentioned people can actually harm the health of others. It is also unrealistic and unfair to expect Health Her coaching to fill gaps within the health care system in the absence of education, training, or standards of care. Finally, without an agency to exercise oversight, experts have developed an ethical gray area, with coaches recommending supplements that happen to be on the market. , in particular, may attempt to exploit these areas. Others may be well-meaning again, but lack the resources, knowledge, and training to navigate those murky waters.
There are no state or federal regulations regarding the term “health coach.” There is also no widely accepted authoritative accreditation body with standards for education and training. As a result, people without proper training, education, or experience may find it difficult to develop health concerns, plans, and Impersonate a qualified professional overseeing your goals.
It is easy for the public to assume that health coaches are qualified professionals. , we can hardly blame anyone who believes they are making well-informed choices about their health.
In 2016, there were good reasons for cautious optimism about this fast-growing new sector. Excitement is building as the National Consortium for Health and Wellness Coach Credentialing and the National Board of Medical Examiners have signed an agreement to work together to provide a national certification for wellness and health coaches.Accreditation currently requires an associate degree Any You must conduct at least 50 sessions (at least 20 minutes) in the field, provide health/wellness coaching, complete a training program, and pass a certification exam.
This was a necessary first step towards standardization and monitoring. However, since the agreement entered into force seven years before him, no steps have been taken towards standardization and monitoring. For example, in 2021 there were an estimated 128,000 health coaches in the United States. According to the National Consortium for Certifying Health and Wellness Coaches, they’ve certified about 8,400 people — assuming everyone who’s certified is still working in the field — probably not, but actual health coaches. of him is only 6.6%. This places the responsibility of researching and understanding the qualifications and background of health coaches on those seeking to improve their health.
Even better is the state regulation of terminology. For example, in Colorado, you cannot call yourself a doctor unless you have graduated from an accredited university and have a PhD, such as an MD or Ph.D. Making the “health coach” a protected title is one way to protect the public from unqualified people providing health advice. should be similar to Must require relevant field education (not just a degree in any field), supervised clinical time (similar to doctors, nurses, etc., not just 20 minute sessions). ), subject to licensing bodies charged with overseeing practices that can also address ethical violations.
People are constantly looking for new and better ways to improve their health and healthcare, but not all health and wellness offerings are what they seem. Until there is standardization and oversight by the Consortium and others, it is important for people to understand the limitations of this new field when making health care choices for themselves and their families. Otherwise, the results may be contrary to the health goals people set for themselves.
Katie Suleta is the Regional Director of Graduate Medical Education and Research at HCA Healthcare. Her background is in public health and health informatics.