Department of Family Medicine
Health Promotion: Health Coaches
The Health Coaches Study is a revision of the Patient-Doctor course. This
innovative approach to medical education blends clinical, research, and
educational programs as students work directly with patients to effect health
behavior change. One-half (n=90) of the first year class is assigned to this
project.
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Pairs of first year students are assigned to a
patient with diabetes.
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Students work with patients for approximately
nine months.
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They meet patients to identify behavioral issues
that may impact control of blood sugar.
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Together they develop a behavioral change plan
in either Healthy Eating, Exercise, or Smoking Cessation.
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Students are required to have at least three
face-to-face visits with patients, including at least one home visit and one
office visit. During the office visit they observe interactions of the
patient with their primary care physician.
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Students maintain periodic phone contacts to
"coach" patient as patient attempts behavior change.
Patients are assessed pre and post intervention as to their attitudes and
behaviors regarding healthy lifestyles, medications, and periodic health exams.
Blood sugar control is assessed by chart audits of HbA1C levels pre and post
intervention.
Physician ratings of patients' adherence to proper diet, exercise,
medication, and blood sugar monitoring are taken pre and post intervention.
Pre and post measurements are also taken of students regarding beliefs about
their ability to deal with psychosocial issues; counseling skills in general;
and counseling skills in addressing health promotion/disease prevention.
Students meet in small groups once a month with a behavioral consultant to
discuss the patient-doctor relationship, counseling techniques, and behavior
change. After the decision is made as to which lifestyle issue to address,
students attend a one-hour didactic session on that topic and are given
appropriate educational materials to use with their patients.
Contact Information
Dr. Peggy J. Wagner
Research Director
Email: pwagner@mcg.edu
(706) 721-7589 |
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