Health promotion and prevention through health coaches in routine care-a qualitative interview study with physicians

Background. Health promotion and prevention are important to prevent disease and mitigate disease progression. Counseling patients on their lifestyle requires time that is often not sufficiently available in daily clinical practice. To integrate health promotion and prevention more into routine care, health coaches would be a possible approach. This study investigated the requirement profile, need, and potential of this not yet established profession from a medical perspective.Methods. Semi-structured, guided interviews were conducted with 19 physicians from clinical and outpatient settings about the job description of a potential health coach. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and evaluated using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.Results. The physicians surveyed were clearly in favor of integrating health coaches into routine patient care. Various professional, personal, social, methodological, and formal requirements were placed on the job description, which should be taught in a scientifically based training program. Potentials of a health coach were seen on the levels of the patients, the health care system, the clinics and medical practices, the physicians, and the future health coaches themselves. Potential benefits ranged from improved health and lower costs to reduced burden of medical staff.Conclusion. The demand for health coaches from the perspective of the interviewees and the identified potentials underline the importance of integrating this new profile into routine clinical care. Before implementation, further studies are necessary, e.g., regarding the cost-effectiveness and the actual benefits of a health coach for patients and for the health care system.