Learning Objective #1: State the concept of Health Coaching as it applies to patient empowerment. | |||
Learning Objective #2: Identify at least 2 barriers to patient empowerment related to socialized healthcare in the UK. |
Respect for patient’s values, preferences, and expressed needs are some of the key dimensions of care defined by the Picker Institute. Recent studies reveal that patients perceive changing their communication behavior with health care providers will disrupt rapport and affect their quality of care. (Towle et al. 1999)
Health professionals recognize the importance of patient participation in decision making. The development of patient competencies has been demonstrated with the utilization of specially trained Health Coaches that may be registered nurses or other healthcare professionals. Providing evidence based information, helping patients formulate key questions, and encouraging individuals to explore their own problem solving process are methods in which Health Coaches help patients develop the competencies necessary to become empowered healthcare participants. Patients in the
What happens when the healthcare environment is a socialized medicine delivery system? Will patients participate in and accept responsibility for their healthcare decisions? In the
Towle, A. & Godolphin, W. (1999). Framework for teaching and learning informed shared decision making. BMJ, 319(18), 766-769.