The Reality
- The amount and quality of health and wellness information is at a historic high and yet personal health and wellness is at a historic low.
- The possession of health knowledge does not cause a person to be healthy.
- Patients/clients understand but don’t act . . . “I know I’m not drinking enough water and I know I need to do better” or “I know I’m not doing enough exercise and I know I need to do more”.
- Most health professionals continue to focus on educating patients/clients even when improved health is not the result.
- GOAL SUCCESS is constantly pushed and ingrained in the hearts and minds of patients/clients most often at the expense of achieving LONG-TERM BEHAVIOR CHANGE.
- The health & wellness industry is deeply embedded in a GOAL ACHIEVEMENT MENTALITY and not a LONG-TERM BEHAVIOR CHANGE MODEL.
The Change
Let’s dig deep and be completely honest. Take the overweight and obesity epidemic for example. We have failed. What we are doing is not working. So, if we truly want to transform our unhealthy society, one patient/client at a time and one business at a time, we must interrupt the current negative cycle and reform our approach. And I’m not talking lip service, I’m talking to the core, deep transformation. I’m talking action that primes the pump with only methods for Long-Term Behavior Change that many patients/clients and health professionals will see as radical change. However, without this radical adjustment we are doomed to continue to fail our patients/clients and entire society. (Note: Established health standards and recommendations remain the foundation for the health & wellness professional.)
The Example
One of the ways to take action and powerfully turn the focus to building sustainable, long-term behavior change, is to address patient/client behavior when they are not with us; when they are between visits. Here is an easy example of how technology fits perfectly with physical activity and behavior change.
1. Obtain real activity data from your patient/client via smart phone or wearable.*
2. Periodically review the information to gain an understanding of behavior.
3. Communicate personal, actionable feedback with the patient/client.
Interestingly, technology is a tool that can easily offer an evidence-based glimpse into behavior and most importantly, foster personal communication that leads to a more sustained and positive behavior change.
*Most patients/clients carry a smart phone that automatically measures steps, exercise minutes, etc.
Reprinted with permission from Dr. Steve Feyrer-Melk.
Steve Feyrer-Melk, MEd, PhD, is a powerful, passionate, and trusted authority in Lifestyle Medicine who is bringing an innovative, refreshing, and successful approach to proactive health care. Dr. Steve co-founded the Optimal Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center where he crafts and hones real-world programs for immediate impact. Dr. Steve also serves as the Chief Science Officer of Nudge, LLC, a lifestyle medical technology company.
