Press Release

Manasquan, N.J., USA, December 22, 2005 – Healthcare system trends toward consumer-driven plans shift decision-making responsibilities to the consumer. But lifestyle changes can be difficult, especially for those most at risk. Family and friends can cheer from the sidelines, but given the frustration, anxiety and hesitation associated with modifying routine, members may need to talk strategy with someone in the game.

Well-versed in healthcare and communication skills, health coaches fulfill dual roles as educators and supporters. Improved outcomes in physical and emotional well-being encourage healthcare organizations to invest in health coach training programs. But program directors want to ensure their health coaches can step up to the plate. “Health Coach Training: Insider Tips for Effective Coaching,” an October 26, 2005 audio conference on CD-ROM sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN), highlights the components of a top-rate health coach training program, from implementation to ongoing development. During this 90-minute audio conference on CD-ROM, expert panelists outline tips and techniques to prepare health coaches for the field. For more information, please visit the HIN bookstore.

“Patients want their problems to change, but we initially found they wanted our coaches to do all the work,” said Bonnie Sechrist, clinical programs director, Health Management Corporation, who spoke at the conference. “Health coaches should be specifically trained in adult learning principles to establish a framework for patient empowerment in the initial encounter.”

Although they possess medical knowledge, the role of the health coach is not to flaunt expertise but to act as a partner in the process by which patients explore the information themselves. Through training, health coaches learn to provide participants with tools for awareness and self-evaluation they can later use to challenge themselves.

“Health coaching should be patient-centered,” said Sechrist. “It should be respectful of the patient at any given point in time. Our role is to be directive and guiding, rather than prescriptive and autocratic. Focus on how to change, rather than what to change. Patients have to decide that for themselves.”

Joining Sechrist at the conference were Kerry Little, senior health coach with Duke University Medical Center, Maddy M. Rice, area vice president of education at CorSolutions and Dr. Ruth Quillian-Wolever, clinical health psychologist and the clinic director with Duke University Medical Center. Combining their insight and expertise, these speakers examine health coach training from orientation to ongoing education, providing a basic structure for the training program that works. They include details on:

• Initial training requirements;
• Ongoing training offered;
• Lessons learned from training sessions;
• Modifications made to training programs based on experience;
• Case load management;
• Guidelines for coaching; and
• Call center coaching versus one-on-one coaching.

This 90-minute audio conference on CD-ROM benefits CEOs, medical directors, disease management directors, managers and coordinators, health plan executives, care management nurses, business development and strategic planning directors.

Also included are detailed outlines of the panelists’ presentations, a printed transcript and a live question-and-answer session on CD-ROM in which participants can engage the experts. For more details on related products and upcoming audio conferences, visit the HIN bookstore.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network -- HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ, USA, 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 292-3073, e-mail info@hin.com, or visit http://www.hin.com.

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