Wellness Coaching as Lifestyle Medicine Powering doctors to help patients master health and wellness

Introduction Healthy behaviors are among today’s breakthrough medicines Wellness is the mastery of healthy behaviors - fitness, weight, nutrition, stress, + mindset Wellness is the foundation of peak health and performance at work and home Wellness coaches help clients become masters of health and wellness

Need More than 65% are overweight/obese 85% don’t meet exercise guidelines Most people are highly stressed Most people are struggling with lifestyle behavior changes Most people are not masters of personal wellness We need to change – not quick fixes but changes that last We need to get develop a mindset that supports change structure and accountability we need a holistic approach convenience (no time for the gym) Personal coach – an expert, a partner, and someone who has been trained to help people change

Need We have no shortage of info and guidelines We have no shortage of experts We need a new approach Wellness coaching to support lasting behavior change is a solution for many patients We need to change – not quick fixes but changes that last We need to get develop a mindset that supports change structure and accountability we need a holistic approach convenience (no time for the gym) Personal coach – an expert, a partner, and someone who has been trained to help people change

Coaching Behavior Change Pyramid

Wellcoaches Corporation Leader in training and certifying health & fitness professionals to be coaches based on evidence-based behavioral psychology Partnership with the prestigious American College of Sports Medicine 525 wellness coaches trained and 130 licensed Wellcoaches in 50 states Scalable, replicable, outcomes-driven coaching model supported by web platform - Training integrates principles of behavioral science, psychology, counseling, life coaching, and future-oriented therapy models

Wellness Coaching Rationale Personal coaching is a proven paradigm to improve performance for athletes and corporate executives Telephone coaching and counseling improve success of behavior change Emerging field of coaching psychology integrates principles from many behavioral psychology models Wellness coaching clients typically reach 70-80% of three month behavioral goals Wellness programs that invest $300-400 per employee per year typically return a 2:1 (1-2 components) to 12:1 (>3 components that are targeted on different populations. Wellness coaching is among the best possible investments in your employees because of the personalization and power of coaching to deliver lasting behavior change. Wellness coaching (delivered by licensed Executive Wellcoaches) is an excellent addition to executive benefits programs.

What is Wellness Coaching? Two coach levels: licensed corporate and licensed executive Wellcoaches Comprehensive questionnaire Personal website Private telephone coaching sessions Personal plan Deep thinking Accountability Plan ahead to overcome challenges Accomplish more than thought possible!!

Personal Wellness Plan Wellness Vision – what is the person I want to be with respect to health and wellness? Motivators, Obstacles, and Strategies to overcome obstacles Three Month Plan and Behavioral Goals Weekly Behavioral Goals

Benefits to Physicians Wellness Coaching Benefits to Physicians Delegate lifestyle counseling to a wellness coach – something most need and physicians don’t time have for Patient’s wellness plan provides tool for follow-up visits every 3-6 months Patient loyalty grows because the support of a coach leads to lasting behavioral and health changes Wellness programs that invest $300-400 per employee per year typically return a 2:1 (1-2 components) to 12:1 (>3 components that are targeted on different populations. Wellness coaching is among the best possible investments in your employees because of the personalization and power of coaching to deliver lasting behavior change. Wellness coaching (delivered by licensed Executive Wellcoaches) is an excellent addition to executive benefits programs.

Wellness Coaching Benefits to Patients Higher performance (e.g. for athletes and executives) Changes that last - higher self-esteem, energy, productivity Support, structure, and accountability Privacy, confidentiality, and personalization Coach expertise in exercise, nutrition, weight and stress management Holistic approach Convenience and affordability Personal choice

Ideal Patient Characteristics Has a medical condition or health risk for which healthy behaviors are part of the textbook prescription Ready, and willing to make changes in at least one area – exercise, nutrition, or stress management Can invest in some portion of coaching fees ($100 planning session, $40 weekly or biweekly session) FSA/HSA accounts can be used

Wellcoaches Program Options Initial Rx: 90-minute wellness coaching session ($100) Three month program ($160 per month for 3-40 minute sessions) National weight management study – three month program at a 25% discount Self-coaching tools 1. Quality control includes coach credentials (ACSM certification or Registered Dietitian), rigorous coach training, license agreement committing coaches to follow ACSM and ADA guidelines, coaching session audits at least once per quarter, coach website audits monthly

Weight Management Study BMI 25-40 and no weight loss medications or supplements Safe to exercise Three month coaching program at 25 % discount Blood work, blood pressure, weight, waist girth within first month, and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months Physician gets copy of wellness plan and progress reports 1. Quality control includes coach credentials (ACSM certification or Registered Dietitian), rigorous coach training, license agreement committing coaches to follow ACSM and ADA guidelines, coaching session audits at least once per quarter, coach website audits monthly

Lifestyle Medicine CME Program Harvard Medical School Prominent collaborators (Prochaska, Willett, ACSM) Multiple lessons on target lifestyle behaviors Multiple lessons on counseling/coaching behavior change First module on weight management to be launched in September 2005

Wellness Coaching as Lifestyle Medicine Powering physicians to help their patients master health and wellness