Current Awareness

Current Awareness

Wolever, R., Jordan, M., Lawson, K., & Moore, M. (2016). Advancing a new evidence-based professional in health care: Job task analysis for health and wellness coaches. BMC Health Services Research, 16, 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1465-8

In their work, Wolever et al. (2016) discuss the emergence of health and wellness coaches (HCWs) in the health sector. The systematic review explores patient-centered approach of Health Coaching and Wellness (HCW) and the establishment of health coaching as a profession. It denotes that there should be a clear and consistent definition of HCW that will ensure standard practices and enhance an evidence-based approach to health and wellness. The journal also describes the research findings of professional bodies such as JTA (Job Tasks Analysis) and NCCHWC (National Consortium for Credentialing Health and Awareness Coaches) on what health coaching best practices. The journal was easily retrievable from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The information it contains is vital to health wellness coaches as it defines their roles and emerging standard practices.

Professional Association

American Council on Exercise. (2017). Becoming a health coach: A career guide for a growing field. Retrieved March 5, 2020, from https://acefitnessmediastorage.blob.core.windows.net/webcontent/assetportfoliodownloads/CareerGuide-HC.pdf

The article examines health and wellness coaching as a profession, giving an overview of its present state and describes emerging areas of interest that will allow the profession to grow further. In particular, the article states that; workplace wellness, health and fitness should be given emphasis. The article reviews the health and wellness industry landscape, providing a range of individuals and groups who require the services of a health coach. It also discusses the future of the profession as part healthcare field where health and wellness coaches work directly with other caregivers to assist individuals in improving their health and well-being. Moreover, it gives steps that an individual needs to take to become a certified health coach. It offers helpful information that would assist health coaches in understanding the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredited certifications. The source was challenging to find, as it took several searches.

Educational resource

Moore, M., & McBride, B. (2016). Health and wellness coaching in practice. In: Wegener, R., Loebbert, M. & Fritze, A. (eds) Coaching-Praxisfelder. Springer, Wiesbaden

Health and wellness coaching practice is a chapter in the work of Wegener et al. (2016) –coaching-praxisfelder. The chapter discusses the spread of lifestyle-related diseases: cancer, stroke, and heart disease in the US and globally, and the role of health coaches in addressing chronic diseases. Lifestyle diseases are not only a significant cause of morbidity and mortality but are also are responsible for high healthcare costs- accounting for approximately 75% of the total healthcare costs. The book highlights the role of health coaches in helping individuals to achieve their goals in the wellness strategy. It also indicates how wellness coaches can assist individuals to set achievable goals in mental and emotional health, exercises, nutrition counselling, and lifestyle changes in behaviour. The resource is handy as it states situations whereby individuals may seek professional wells coach assistance. The situations include, after diagnosis of lifestyle disease such as diabetes, lifestyle change, such as quitting smoking and preventing illness from getting worse. It was easy to find this source of information. The resource is a useful addition to existing literature and an invaluable resource to health and wellness coaches and individuals who need their services.

Professional journal

Stark, S., & Blair, A. (2018). Health and wellness coaching: Providers and practice—A commentary on Sforzo and colleagues (2018). American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(6), 451

This journal provides an in-depth analysis of the value of health coaches in a patient’s medical team. It denotes that health and wellness coaches have a crucial role in rendering health interventions to members of that society. The United States healthcare is transforming from the traditional treatment approaches to more proactive approaches that prioritize disease prevention and wellness. This resource addresses the extent to which lifestyle behaviours are related to morbidity and chronic diseases and how health and awareness coaches’ contributions in tackling the problem. The authors of this journal focus on the health wellness professionals holistically and highlight reasons for training and certifications. They also point out the importance of in-depth and quality research in the HWC field, given its growth over time. It provides reasons why more well-structured evidence-based research on Health wellness interventions should be increased to improve the health outcomes of patients. It was easy to find this journal, and with its high-quality content, I believe it will expand the field of HCW.

Areas of current research

Oliver, M., Debora, K., &, Subimal, D. (2018). Health to wellness: A review of wellness models and transitioning back to health, 9 (1), 41-56. Doi:10.18848/2156-8960/CGP/v09i01/41-56.

This journal is a review of wellness models to transition back to good health. It provides a leeway to pursue and lead a qualitative life. The paper indicates several ways the health of an individual the society manifests. It gives examples such as emotional wellness, physical fitness, and financial security. The state of wellness denotes the relationship that exists between the quality of life and health. Though several wellness models have already been researched and constructed, the authors acknowledge that the subject is an evolving one, which needs constant and regular research to improve practice. The existing models include the high-level wellness model, holistic wellness model, and wheel of wellness and prevention model. Due to the ambiguous and expansive nature of the already existing models, new models will provide more applicability warrant research. I took some time to research this resource; however, it offers essential information for health and wellness coaches. It also provides insights into carrying more research on wellness models to cater to emerging trends in the field.