At Tom’s last check-up the doctor said his blood pressure was getting too high, his weight was too high, and his blood sugar was not low enough. In addition to that, Tom’s employer just changed the insurance plan and he isn’t sure if he will need to change his medication. Tom is feeling overwhelmed and confused. He stays awake at night wondering which problem to tackle first.
My Health Coaching approach withTom would be to sit down with him for approximately one hour. He would have filled out a questionnaire in advance that we would review in this session. This allows Tom to see for himself the medical challenges he faces and put them in priority for which ones he feels ready to address. It also allows me to understand the medical diagnosis and treatment plan he has been given by his medical provider. My goal is to assist Tom in understanding the medical issues he is facing and to develop a plan that will allow Tom to make some small changes to improve his health. I want Tom to be an educated health consumer empowered to participate in his health care decisions.
There are three key areas that I address in a Health Coaching plan. Since I know that the quantity and quality of nutrients that individuals eat impacts every cell and system in the body, I always address the nutritional plan for every person. 98% of Americans don’t eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables every day, and the nutrient content in our food supply has declined. If we factor in the fact that nearly one-third of the average American’s diet consists of fast food, then we have a situation where our bodies are not being supplied with the fuel to thrive.
As a pharmacist, I pay special attention to the medication regimen that is in place and the potential for drug interactions, duplications of therapy, and difficulty with adherence to the prescribed plan. I have found that the possibility of duplicate therapies increases according to the number of physicians an individual visits for their healthcare.
Finally, I conduct a stress assessment with my clients. High levels of stress can undermine any attempt to improve overall health. Together we develop an overall picture of wellness unique to you. We spend time breaking the plan down into manageable, bite-sized pieces and start tackling the issues.
This type of integrated approach combines the knowledge and expertise of your healthcare team with your individual motivation to change. While it is not the answer to everyone’s needs, this coordination of care can help people plant the seeds for lasting change that will directly impact their long-term health.
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