Health coaching is brilliant and thought provoking, I have found it very useful. It improves peoples outcomes and improves health.
Having previously worked with young adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems, I became very passionate about the opportunity to implement a new approach.
Learning health coaching techniques has given me additional skills that complemented my existing enthusiasm and expertise for my clinical area of supporting self-management in those with long term or neurological conditions.
I am using health coaching in my clinical practice and have been given eight days per year outside of my existing role to train others.
Each of us noted positive clinical experiences resulting from the application of health coaching skills following an initial two-day training course.
I truly believe that coaching can support the NHS in transforming and in supporting patients to become better managers of their own health.
My interest in health coaching derives from a need for more effective ways to change health behaviour. I also wanted to be able to train other healthcare professionals in how to have a better conversation with patients.
Having worked as a clinician for many years, this was the type of training that felt like it could make a difference to all members of the team and how we engage our patients in self-management. We have now trained over 350 staff within our Trust in health coaching. Following a recent survey of the staff trained, we know that the vast majority continue to use the techniques and employ the mind-set developed in the course.
I was keen to have more effective consultations with patients and promote this transformational mindset. By utilising health coaching skills,
My role is to support the development of skills related to health coaching in the health and social care workforce in Manchester,
I have a general interest in health and wellbeing and was keen to establish myself in a professional role as a health coach trainer, to look at new ways of working in clinical practice.
Having strongly identified with the values and principles of health coaching i.e. to facilitate empowerment, choice, improved patient and staff experience, I was keen to dedicate some time to help staff access this way of working.
After attending one of the workshops I realised how important and effective this approach could be. It fitted with the work we were already doing around person centred care, and new care models.
I became involved in health coaching because I felt that the principles fitted with my philosophy about working with people who have health difficulties.
We both work with patients suffering with persistent musculoskeletal pain, many have maladaptive coping strategies that contribute to their symptoms.
I embarked on the health coaching approach because of the possibility of positively effecting behaviour change, what I had been doing wasn't working
Health coaching training was first developed in 2010 by Drs Newman and McDowell in NHS Suffolk funded by a Regional Innovation Fund, roll out across the East of England was commissioned by Health Education England and the training then selected onto the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) Programme.
These Better Conversation resources were co-funded by the NIA Fellowship, Health Education England, Innovation Agency (North West Coast), Eastern and Yorkshire and Humber AHSNs. We are grateful to everyone who has worked with us to grow the movement for better conversation, clinicians and leaders alike.
What is the NHS Innovation Accelerator Programme?
Read about promoted innovationsHow talk can change our lives,
Theodore Zeldin
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