Coaches bring a unique approach to the patient/client relationship by viewing it as a collaboration. This partnership of equals does not rely on the expert knowledge of the coach to be the “hero” that can “fix” the patient/client. Instead of being the keeper of knowledge, the coach both elicits information from the client and openly shares knowledge, as needed.
At its heart, coaching strives to build the confidence of the patient/client, by support them in gaining a sense of competence. As in article in The Journal of Participatory Medicine, HOW A PATIENT WAS MOTIVATED BY READING HIS OFFICE NOTES, a wise coach lays all of the tools on the table and asks the client which they want to use, and how.