Integrative health coaches play a crucial role in the approach to chronic kidney disease, helping patients navigate their healthcare journeys and empowering them to make informed decisions about their health. As healthcare becomes more complex, the need for integrative health coaches has grown, and research has shown that their work can have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
By Majd Isreb, MD, FACP, FASN, IFMCP
What is an Integrative Health Coach?
An integrative health coach is a trained professional who works with patients to identify their health goals. They work with other Integrative health professionals to develop a personalized plan for each patient.
Integrative health coaches are typically trained in the basics of a range of holistic health practices, including nutrition, stress management, and mindfulness, and work to help patients address the root causes of their health concerns.
It is crucial to know, though, that coaches cannot prescribe medications. Their work does not replace the role of an Integrative-trained dietitian or nutritionist. Ideally, they are part of a team that includes a provider, a dietitian or nutritionist, and a coach.
Role of Integrative Health Coaches
Integrative health coaches are part of a team that develops holistic approaches to managing chronic conditions. Here are a few specific ways that integrative health coaches can support medicine management:
- Provide the patient with tools and skills to help implement lifestyle changes prescribed by their provider and build new habits to improve their overall health.
- Guide them through setting goals and taking steps to achieve them.
- Hold the patient accountable to achieve their goals.
- A health coach will assist the patient in exploring gaps between their current condition and desired goals.
- They may also improve medication adherence if needed and manage side effects.
The Impact of Integrative Health Coaching
Research has shown that integrative health coaching can have a positive impact on patient outcomes. For example, a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine found that integrative health coaching was associated with improvements in glucose control, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and self-reported health status in patients with metabolic syndrome.
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Another study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that integrative health coaching was associated with a decrease in healthcare costs, with participants who received coaching experiencing lower medical expenses than those who did not.
These studies and others suggest that integrative health coaching can be a valuable tool in medicine management, helping patients to take a more active role in their healthcare and achieve better health outcomes.
The bottom line
Integrative health coaches play an important role in the Integrative approach to kidney health, helping patients navigate their healthcare journeys and empowering them to take control of their health. Their work can have an additive positive impact on patient outcomes, and research has shown that integrative health coaching is associated with improvements in a range of health measures.
