Health Coaching: Is It Your Role?

This article explores the different interpretations of the term ''Health Coaching" and suggests that the skillset is one every health professional needs. 

The term "health coaching" often sparks curiosity and, at times, confusion. Is it a communication style? Is it a professional role? Or is it something more nuanced? For many health professionals, the term "health coaching" may feel unfamiliar or even misaligned with their professional identity. However, understanding its essence can unlock transformative potential in patient care. 

At HealthChange Associates (formerly known as Health Coaching Australia), we’ve been at the forefront of this conversation. As pioneers, we collaborated with Deakin University to develop the first health coaching course specifically designed for health professionals.  The course aimed to address the gap in health professional training to integrate evidence-based communication and behaviour change techniques into everyday practice. But what exactly does health coaching mean, and how does it fit into the broader healthcare framework? 

Health Coaching: A Communication Style

At its core, health coaching is a friendly term for a communication style—a way of engaging with patients that prioritizes collaboration, active listening, and patient empowerment. Unlike traditional models of care that often rely on directive advice-giving, health coaching encourages patients to take an active role in their health journey. It’s about asking the right questions, exploring motivations, and supporting patients to set and achieve their own health goals. 

This approach is rooted in evidence-based psychology and behaviour change theories, such as motivational interviewing and goal-setting frameworks. If you would like to dive into the evidence base, a summary of the literature here. Gale and Skouteris 2013 Extract.pdf 

By adopting a health coaching communication style, health professionals can foster trust, improve adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately enhance health outcomes.

Health Coaching: A Role

While health coaching is fundamentally a communication style, it is now a distinct role within healthcare. Health Professionals are often employed in these roles. In this context, a health coach guide patients through behaviour change processes, often working alongside multidisciplinary teams. This role is particularly valuable in managing chronic conditions, where sustained lifestyle changes are critical to improving quality of life.  Experience and skills to perform this role can be gained through a number of different pathways – on the job training, formal qualifications (See https://hcanza.org/programs/ ) or other short courses offered in behaviour change. Numerous Public and Private health coaching programs choose HealthChange Methodology courses to train their health coaches because the practical tools make the concepts easy to apply. 

However, the idea of "health coaching" as a role can sometimes create a disconnect for professionals who strongly identify with their primary discipline—be it allied health, nursing, or medicine. For these practitioners, the term may feel like a departure from their professional identity. But in reality, health coaching is not about replacing one’s professional expertise; it’s about enhancing it. 

HealthChange® Methodology – More than Skills Training!

At HealthChange Associates, we have gone a step further and created a robust clinical practice methodology to deliver person-centred care.  We have added additional tools that help professionals integrate the health coaching skillset into any healthcare practice. The HealthChange® Consultation Framework makes it easier to embed person-centred communication and behaviour change into practice, enabling professionals to navigate the complexities of people while staying true to their professional identity. The Framework orders your clinical tasks and conversations to meet people’s needs while working under tight time constraints.

The techniques complement your existing skills and amplify your impact. In fact, this skillset is useful whenever you want a person to take some sort of action – whether that be fill a script, make an appointment, follow treatment advice or manage addiction. It is also relevant to non-clinical roles such as managers, case co-ordinators and reception staff.

Do I Really Need Another Course?

Many professionals already have solid communication skills, but let’s face it—no one’s a complete expert when it comes to influencing human behaviour. Many educators and researchers are now recognising that influencing uptake of advice is a specific skillset that can (and should) be taught¹. With the healthcare landscape increasingly demanding patient-centred approaches, it’s clear that effective communication is no longer just a “nice-to-have” skill—it’s essential. Without specific guidance on how to integrate effective conversations into time limited consultations, clinicians risk frustration, disengaged patients, and missed opportunities for better outcomes. HealthChange Associates not only provide initial training but also continue to support you to develop skills over time through our community.

On the flip side, mastering communication to increase uptake of advice builds trust, creates a real partnership with consumers, and strengthens team collaboration. Investing in this skillset is not just a professional asset but a personal growth opportunity making every interaction, professional or personal, that much more rewarding. 

As the pioneers of health coaching education for professionals, we invite you to explore how this approach can transform your practice. Whether you see it as a style, a role, or both, health coaching is ultimately about one thing: helping patients achieve their best possible health outcomes. 

Ready to Learn a Practical Way To Communicate?

Discover how HealthChange® Methodology can help you integrate health coaching into your practice.

References:

1. O'Leary S, Gale J, Volker G, Kuipers P, Dalton M, McPhail S. Fostering patient uptake of recommended health services and self-management strategies for musculoskeletal conditions: A Delphi study of clinician attributes. Musculoskeletal Care. 2020; 18: 161–168. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1448