What Happens After People Are Told What to Do?

People are told to eat differently, exercise more, manage stress, sleep better, take their medication, lose weight and make healthier choices by a variety of people- health care professionals, social media influencers, faith communities, work etc

But there is a question we don't always ask:

What happens when someone knows what to do—but still can't seem to do it consistently?

This gap needs to be filled. Who will fill it?

Filling The Gap

A recent white paper, Evolving the Field of Health and Wellbeing Coaching available, brings together four leading professional organisations from the UK, United States, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand to consider how the profession can develop and contribute to modern health challenges and care systems.

One of the key ideas is what the paper describes as an “implementation gap.” People knowing what to do but struggling to do it (implementing).

In simple terms long-term conditions, workplace ill health, cancer survivorship, mental wellbeing etc, all require sustained behaviour change and ongoing support that extends beyond traditional healthcare. The white paper states that health and wellbeing coaching has a vital role to play in closing this implementation gap, as the profession continues to mature.

Why?

Long-term health conditions, mental health challenges, stress at work, caring for others, loneliness and financial difficulties can all affect a person’s health.

What people are able to do is also influenced by their daily routines, relationships, culture, environment and personal circumstances. People need support to ensure these work in alignment with what they want for their health.

The paper indicated WHO reported that non-communicable diseases caused at least 43 million deaths worldwide in 2021.

Many of these diseases are linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking, not being physically active, harmful alcohol use and unhealthy eating.

But these choices are also shaped by the environments people live and work in and the opportunities available to them. This means healthcare needs to go beyond diagnosing and treating illness—it also needs to support people to make and maintain healthier changes in their everyday lives.

How Is The Implementation Gap Filled

"At its best, health coaching supports the human side of change".

That can include supporting someone by:

• Giving them support based on what research shows works.

• Helping them understand what is important to them and what they want to change.

• Helping them feel ready and able to make changes.

• Helping them believe in their ability to make and maintain changes.

• Helping them identify and overcome things that make change difficult.

• Helping them create practical steps that fit into their everyday life.

• Helping them learn from things that don't go as planned and adjust rather than give up.

• Helping them maintain healthier habits over time in a way that works for their life.

The paper is clear that health coaching has a distinct contribution and should work alongside other health care professions, not separately and never as a replacement.

What Does This Mean For People Who Want To Improve Their Health

It means having somewhere to explore:

“I know what I should do. But how do I actually make this work in my life when:

• I want to change so many things

• I've always struggled with sleep since I was a teenager

• I'm tired of trying and getting nowhere

• I lose the weight but I always gain after

• No one in the family has been able to stop smoking

• I work 60 hours a week and don't have the time or energy to exercise

• I've recently lost my job and I don't have motivation for anything.

• my husband and kids have no interest in eating healthy so there are always snacks in the house.

The journey starts by identifying the challenges and finding realistic ways to work through them, while considering every aspect of your life, because they can all contribute to your success.

What Does This Mean For Healthcare Professionals?

An opportunity for greater collaboration.

You may have limited time with a patient.

You may provide excellent clinical advice, but not have the time to work through all the practical barriers that determine whether someone can implement it.

When the implementation gap is filled, it would provide additional support around behaviour change, self-management, confidence, planning and sustaining change, within scope of practice.

It means there is someone on your side, and your patient feels supported on an additional front.

It also provides reassurance that the lifestyle aspects practitioners may not have time to address are still being covered, with someone there to support the patient with the practical lifestyle changes that can complement their clinical care.

A Welcome Conversation

For me, it means health coaches have a responsibility to keep developing.

The profession is growing, but growth alone isn't enough.

Continued growth in providing clear standards, ethical practice, evidence-informed approaches, appropriate boundaries and accountability will help maintain and build the trust that exists.

That's something I welcome.

Coming from a pharmacy background, professional accountability is not something I take lightly. I understand why people need to know who they are trusting with their health and what that professional is qualified and prepared to do.

I'm also encouraged that this conversation is happening internationally because modern health challenges are complex and any best practice guidance will help. There is a great opportunity for health care professionals to collaborate together, meeting people where they are and all they come with or face.

If we are to tackle chronic disease, multimorbidity, persistent pain, workforce strain, caregiving burden, social disconnection, inequity, a new approach is needed.

It's about helping people turn what they know into what they do.

And when behaviours change, habits can change.

When habits change, health can change.

And that can mean a healthier, more fulfilling and happier, quality life.

To start your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling and happier life click here