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Those living with arthritis can live well and have a good quality of life by employing lifestyle interventions as medicine, in conjunction with, prevention, joint protection, weight management, physical activity, wise food choices, stress management and a good medical regimen. By combining all these necessary recommendations into a personalized Wellness Strategy and Plan, a coach can assist an arthritis patient in organizing what is important for them to live life well. The Wellness Plan then becomes a map by which to navigate toward managing and maximizing the patient\u2019s best life possible.<\/p>\n
A common factor also influencing quality of life for those challenged by arthritis or any chronic illness is what is called \u201cadherence\u201d or \u201cmedical compliance\u201d. Lack of adherence to medical and lifestyle improvements is a large piece of the cost of healthcare today and contributes to the epidemic of chronic illness. Average patient adherence rates for prescribed medications are about 50 percent, and for lifestyle changes they are below 10 percent.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization reports \u201cimproving adherence also enhances patients\u2019 safety because most of the care needed for chronic conditions is based on patient self-management, use of medical technology for monitoring, and changes in the patient\u2019s lifestyle.\u201d A coach assists in supporting patient compliance and self-accountability and works with the patient to forward the action toward their goals.<\/p>\n
The same report goes on to say \u201cpatient-tailored interventions are required and must be customized to the particular illness-related demands experienced by the patient. There is no single intervention strategy that has been shown to be effective across all patients.\u201d Therefore, working with individuals one on one is of primary importance for enhancing their quality of life. Coaches work with clients on a one on one basis assisting them in creating a wellness plan that is personalized to them.<\/p>\n
Dr. Bennett and team’s article Health Coaching for Patients with Chronic Illness states \u201cit is critical that those with arthritis understand, agree with and participate in the management of their chronic condition. Health coaching is one way to accomplish this function.\u201d<\/p>\n
A long-term study done at Stanford University indicates that interactions with a coach can significantly increase the health of people with chronic illness. Stanford\u2019s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program brought patients (including those with arthritis) together with a coach. “Subjects who took the Program, when compared to those who did not, demonstrated significant improvements in exercise, cognitive symptom management, communication with physicians, self-reported general health, health distress, fatigue, disability, and social\/role activities limitations. They also spent fewer days in the hospital, and there was also a trend toward fewer outpatient visits and hospitalizations.”<\/p>\n
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It was found \u201cThis type of self-management, through coaching, is so effective it has been endorsed by the Surgeon General of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGive a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.\u201d Health & Wellness coaches<\/a> work with a client to tailor-make a wellness plan that includes self-management, coordinating their medical regimen, and forwarding lasting lifestyle changes. Working together with a coach, a patient can successfully manage their condition and create a strategy to living life well with arthritis.<\/p>\n \u25ba Work with you to take an inventory of your current wellness status<\/p>\n \u25ba Guide and facilitate your personal well-life vision toward the life you would like to live<\/p>\n \u25ba Work with you to develop a personalized Wellness Plan that is tailored to your needs. The wellness plan becomes the map that integrates your important areas of focus including: self-management support, the medical regimen, and lifestyle improvements.<\/p>\n \u25ba Bridging the gap between clinician and patient.<\/p>\n \u25ba Provide accountability & support for you to be successful<\/p>\n \u25ba Provide ongoing evaluation of progress toward your goals<\/p>\n \u25ba Serve as a continuity figure<\/p>\n \u25ba Assist in patient-directed achievement of successful lifestyle behavioral change<\/p>\n Dr. Linda Gogl is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with Board Certification in Orthopaedic\u2019s with over 20 years in healthcare. She currently serves as Director of Development and Team Member for Real Balance Global Wellness Services<\/a>. Her professional experience includes outpatient Clinical Director, Developer\/Director of an APTA Credentialed Orthopaedic Residency Program, Director of Quality Assurance for the largest physical therapy private practice in California, Credentialed Clinical Instructor, Adjunct Professor of Anatomy & Physiology, Research mentor and Clinical Coordinator for University affiliations. More recently she also served as National Director of Training and Implementation for OptimisPT, a physical therapy software system.<\/em><\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat Can Health & Wellness Coaches Do for You?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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these gaps between the medical team and patient by following up with patients and guiding a patient-centered approach, asking about needs and addressing obstacles, addressing health literacy, cultural issues and social-class barriers.<\/li>\n\n
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