We would love to learn more about you and help you thrive on your coaching journey! NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT I'm ready to become a coach! Register me now! Learn More - Submit Your Question We would love to learn more about you and help decide if Wellcoaches is right for you! Contact our Relationship Manager, Diana. Call (866) 932-6224 (ext. 700), schedule a meeting or send us your questions here. Schedule a time to chat about enrolling Join a live information session Thanks for our phone conversation yesterday. It was helpful to speak with a real person, to verify as well as add tangibility to what can be a questionable internet program - so many scams, sadly, one can't be too careful! By the way, I went all in and signed up. - Karna GET CERTIFIED How to earn a Health & Well-being Coach Certification THE SCIENCE Evidence for the Wellcoaches model WHY WELLCOACHES Our history, mission and faculty Testimonials A quick thank you for this amazing experience with Wellcoaches. I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator, Sales Specialist, Support Group Facilitator, and Patient Service Specialist. This course brings together all my hopes/dreams (skills and experience) of what I have always wanted to be: a skilled partner (vehicle) in empowering people to achieve a fuller level of well-being. What a privilege. Every Thursday and Sunday evening through the summer I would have rather been swimming and celebrating with my family……but 5 minutes into the Wellcoaches Session I was exactly where I wanted to be. And fired up about it. Thank you!I move forward with great energy and interest….onward and upward. Claire Duffy RN MSN MSCNA Already a Student or Member? Your Coach Concierge, assigned by the first letter of your last name, is here to support you: Telephone: (866) 932-6224 (866 WE-COACH) Your Last name A - G: Julie Cummings [ext 712] Set up a meeting with me Your Last name H - O: Joanna Thomas [ext 743] Set up a meeting with me Your Last name P - Z: Angela Carter-Lanon [ext 742] Set up a meeting with me Learn more about Wellcoaches Membership, Angela Miller Barton [ext 715] We strive to respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible and will do so within 2 business days. Are you considering sending employees through coach training? Are you an employer building a coaching team or a healthcare organization considering embedding coaches within your team? If so, we’d like to speak to you. We offer world-class coaching products including training & certifications, professional development resources, and electronic coaching record software. Our Client Manager, Diana, can work with you to get your staff trained as coaches and can look into ways we can support your organization’s coaching model. Contact Diana Diamantopoulos , (866) 932-6224 (ext 700) to schedule a meeting.

Wellcoaches training is science-based & innovative health, wellness and personal coach training. Flexible options ranging from in-person to 100% on-line. Endorsed by American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Lifestyle Medicine and the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Life-changing Evidence-based Coaching excellence Become a National Board Certified Coach & Become an ICF Credentialed Coach Free Information Session Register and Get Started Why Wellcoaches Register Now Video didn't open? View it here . Wellcoaches School of Coaching was the first coaching school for health and wellness professionals, founded in 2000. We work in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine , and are a first-mover in establishing coaching science in the US. We created the first coaching textbook in healthcare, the Coaching Psychology Manual , endorsed by the ACSM, which is used widely in the health and wellness coach training industry. The coaching protocols published in our textbook are now evidence-based . Our CEO and Founder Margaret Moore is co-founder (2009) and past chair (2021-2024) of the Institute of Coaching. Margaret is also a co-founder (2010) and past board member of the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) from 2010-2023. She spearheaded the formation of a strategic partnership with the National Board of Medical Examiners (2016). Coaching is healthcare. And Well-being. Excel in coaching with Wellcoaches. Professional health and well-being coaches are expert facilitators of sustainable change in mindset and behaviors. Translating science and innovation into coaching practice, Wellcoaches teaches you how to use evidence-based coaching tools and processes designed to help others change, grow and thrive. Register Now Get more info You commit to attending our real-time, interactive, and experiential classes. We commit to building a competent and confident coach in you. When you choose Wellcoaches, you... are eligible - anyone with an Associate Degree or 4000 hours of work experience in any field can participate. can fit it into your budget with per-module pricing, discounted bundled tuition, and payment plans learn from the authors of the Coaching Psychology Manual , the premier text for our field will gain evidence-based skills, proven effective in 22 published studies with 30,000 coaching clients determine your pace and can earn our health & well-being coach certification in as little as 6 months or up to 18 months choose the path that works for you: National Board Certification or Wellcoaches Certification to become a Certified Wellcoach® be highly employable. Employers seek Certified Wellcoaches®. Job Board get the tools to pass the National Board Exam - our last group of students had a 94% pass rate (1,500 strong) improve well-being; take our Well-being Inventory Apply for the National Board Certification after completing our certification program. It’s a great book and it really helped me get my footing on coaching. It really addresses everything I wanted to know and more. I remember thinking every evening after reading a section that: “Wow, if I can get this down, I’d be a great coach” and I felt challenged and inspired. I still go back to it because some things they just explained so wonderfully. - Willem van der Walt, Agile Coach at Capitec Bank Register Now Why Health & Well-being Coaching How Coaching Works video The Science of Coaching We collaborate with partners, including the American College of Sports Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, to help everyone who works in healthcare and wellness learn how to coach to improve health, well-being, and quality of life. We are also an approved training program for the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Together, let's create a world where everyone welcomes change, enjoys growth, and is good at both. Coaching Excellence I am a Wellcoach Erika Testimonial (2) Michael testimonial I am a Wellcoach 1/7 Become a Certified Wellcoach® 1. Begin with Wellcoaches Health & Well-being Coach Training & Certification Foundational coach track for those who want to master coaching competencies. There are three pathways: Certified Health and Well-being Coach (a Wellcoach®) Certified Health and Well-being Coach with a Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine Requirements, Costs & Timelines For students in cohorts July & August Watch certification video For students in cohorts September forward Watch certification video 2. Next, earn the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching Certification Once you have achieved the Wellcoaches Certification, you may be eligible to become a National Board Certified - Health and Wellness Coach. Requirements, Costs & Timelines 3. Then, earn the International Coaching Federation Certification Once you have achieved the Wellcoaches Certification and completed our Advanced Coach Training and Certification, you may be eligible to earn an ICF Certification. Requirements, Costs & Timelines Statistically significant positive outcomes 194 coaches, 30,984 patients/clients, 128,076 coaching sessions The Wellcoaches Protocol of health/well-being coaching is the most thoroughly tested coaching protocol in the healthcare and well-being domains, resulting in positive, statistically significant outcomes in all 22 peer-reviewed studies . One-page Summary All Research How Coaching Works video The Science of Coaching Testimonials After careful research, I learned about Wellcoaches, and it was love at first sight. At first, I felt anxious about committing to such a big thing whilst studying, but somehow I felt that it was the right thing to do. To be precise, I asked a ton of silly questions in the emails, and all the answers were really clear, well-structured, and empathetic. I was shocked by the way Wellcoaches communicated with me via email, as I never felt more heard and understood from just an email. Those answers alleviated my confusion and worry and assured me that I am on the right path. And yes, I guessed right - it was amazing. It was quite challenging and tough, but I enjoyed every bit of it, and I truly mean it. I learned many new things and skills that aren't just related to coaching. Those skills are immensely helpful in my day-to-day life as well. I learned to connect, understand, and appreciate people in a way I didn't before. It's worth mentioning that all the people at or around Wellcoaches that I've talked to during my journey were nothing but positive, kind, and compassionate. I think Wellcoaches just radiates positive energy, and like a magnet, attracts positive and kind people to it. I am truly grateful for this journey! And looking forward to the upcoming challenges! Next stop: NBHWC. Edvards Hāzners Continuing Education For coaches: ICF and NBHWC For physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants: AAFP For health educators: NCHEC For RNs, APRNs, and LPNs: ANCC For exercise science professionals: ACE , ACSM and NASM For RDs, RDNs, DTRs and NDTRs: CDR I'm a Physician. Is coaching right for me? I'm a Nurse. Is coaching right for me? Get Hired. Check out our Job Board Join Over 16,000 Coaches in 50 Countries As a Wellcoach, you join a strong, mature, international, professional community of like-minded learners who value the highest quality, evidence-based coaching. 16,000+ Coaches trained in over 50 countries 25+ Staff with ICF or NBHWC certifications 24 Years of coach training 94 1,500 Wellcoaches have taken the National Board Exam Our Strategic Partners These world-renowned medical societies have chosen to endorse only Wellcoaches as the leader in coach training. You can be assured that when you say you have been Wellcoaches-trained, you will be recognized as a respected member of the coaching profession, supported by decades of research and advocacy from these leaders in the field of healthcare. Resources & Science Our team writes and presents prolifically on the art and science of coaching. Enjoy our best articles and books written by Wellcoaches faculty, as well as our favorite videos and presentations. Books and Articles Videos Research Do Not Sell My Personal Information

We love what we do and have the deepest respect for the work that you do. Meet our operations team! Our Operations Team Faculty Operations Advisors Our Wellcoaches Operations Team sets the highest possible standard of program delivery, customer service, and business development. Operations Team Angela Carter-Lanon, Coach Concierge https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact(mailto:acarterlanon@wellcoaches.com) MS, CPHWC, NBC-HWC Angela earned a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and sports medicine, both from The University of Louisville. She obtained her Professional Health and Wellness Coach Certification with Wellcoaches, the Virtual Lifestyle Coach Certification from The Diabetes Training and Technical Assistance Center and earned the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach Credential. In addition, she has taught as an adjunct educator since 1999, owned a private training studio since 2003 and completed a personal training certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Angela Miller Barton, Manager of Member Programs https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact (mailto:amillerbarton@wellcoaches.com)MA, PCHWC, NSCA-CPT, CPHWC, NBC-HWC, BA (Journalism) Angela has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science, specializing in health behavior change. In addition, she holds a Professional Health and Wellness Coach certification from Wellcoaches, an associate's degree in Sport Fitness & Management from Columbus State Community College, personal training certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher credential. Diana Diamantopoulos, Relationship Manager - Corporate Accounts https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a6648_7958084db5e540a3b06052a63bf4b11a~mv2.jpg Contact (DDiamantopoulos@wellcoaches.com)MAPP, CHWC, NBC-HWC Before coming to Wellcoaches Diana spent 15 years coaching employees at a Fortune 100 financial firm to achieve their highest level of health and well-being. As a graduate of the very first Master of Applied Positive Psychology Program at the University of Pennsylvania, she studied the science of well-being under the tutelage of Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman and other pioneers in the field of positive psychology. She received her coaching certification through Wellcoaches in 2006 and has been doing what she loves most—coaching—ever since. Prior to becoming a coach, Diana worked in academic health behavior research, was a personal trainer, and taught yoga. Diana lives in Peabody, MA with her husband and two daughters. Joanna Thomas, Coach Concierge https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact(mailto:jthomas@wellcoaches.com) CPT, CPHWC, NBC-HWC Joanna has been an ACE certified Personal Trainer since 1996. She obtained her Wellcoaches Health and Wellness Coach certification in 2015 and National Board certification in 2017. She is also certified in Lifestyle Medicine and Plant Based Nutrition. Joanna has been vegan for over 30 years and raised 2 children on a vegan diet. She teaches plant-based cooking classes and specializes in helping people transition to a plant-based lifestyle. Julie Cummings, Operations Coordinator and Team Lead, Coach Concierge https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact(mailto:jcummings@wellcoaches.com) ACC, LAT, ATC, BCC, CPHWC, NBC-HWC, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, EIM Julie has a degree in Exercise Science and is Certified and Licensed as an Athletic Trainer. Additionally, she is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and holds the Exercise is Medicine Level II credential. Julie has obtained the Professional Health and Wellness Coach Certification with Wellcoaches, is certified with the International Coaching Federation, and is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach. She is passionate about helping others to create a healthy environment for themselves and learn to be their best! She has been with Wellcoaches since 2007. Katherine Oliveira, Executive Assistant https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3e3a7a_f3fdb46b6025445885955c40ee89184d~mv2.png Contact (mailto:koliveira@wellcoaches.com) Katherine is the Executive Assistant to Margaret, aka Coach Meg, Founder and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation. Katherine is a seasoned administrator with a demonstrated 10+ year history of accelerating business operations. She has supported several C-level executives with a keen eye for details, managing client relations and coordinating special projects. Katherine completed her undergraduate education in Economics and International Studies at the University of Connecticut. Katherine respects the values that volunteering and giving back to the community represent with organizations focused on underserved communities. She serves as the Community Event Director for the Ecuadorian Civic Center of Danbury, Connecticut, a non-profit cultural center. Kelly Noffsinger, Continuing Education Coordinator https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact (mailto:knoffsinger@wellcoaches.com)MA Kelly holds her Masters’ Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. After coming to Wellcoaches in late 2013 as Erika Jackson's Executive Assistant, she has taken on the role as the Continuing Education Coordinator for Wellcoaches. Marilyn Thom, Training and Operations Lead https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a6648_1eea2bae2e1a4bf98dd0670034fc9372~mv2.png Contact(mailto:mthom@wellcoaches.com) Marilyn’s training and education in office systems and records management led her to a 15 year adventure of ‘being at the center’ of a number of executive groups and wearing many administrative and operational hats. Her role within numerous entrepreneurial start-up companies typically included that of Corporate Secretary as they collaborated to move these new ventures through to an operations stage. That experience was a perfect fit for Wellcoaches when she joined the team in March 2006. As Training & Operations Lead her role encompasses system design and analysis, management of electronic data and records, and support of the operations team. Her nickname is ‘Master Snoop’ and she keeps the back-end of the company running like a ‘well-oiled machine’. Maura Rawn, Controller https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact (mailto:mrawn@wellcoaches.com)MBA Maura serves as Controller at Wellcoaches. She also serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the Center for School Transformation. Maura earned her MBA at Franklin University. Prior to joining Wellcoaches Maura served as Controller at Astute, Inc. and Plaskolite, Inc. Ray Diveley, Technology Manager https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact(mailto:rdiveley@wellcoaches.com) MBA, PMP, CSM, ITIL Ray has been working in web development since the 1990s and has worked with varied technologies such as ColdFusion, .Net, PHP and Java. Ray is an avid CrossFitter and enjoys the occasional 5K. Ray has a BA from the University of California, San Diego and an MBA from Babson College. Rosie Hunter, Executive Assistant & Project Manager https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact(mailto:rhunter@wellcoaches.com) Rosie is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Coaching Officer and Project Manager. Rosie is a dedicated and experienced nonprofit and government professional with management experience. Her experience ranges from legislative analysis to public policy campaigns to overseeing investigatory policy research projects to office management. She is devoted to learning and helping colleagues help those we serve. Samantha Myers, Technology Administrator https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Contact (mailto:smyers@wellcoaches.com) Sam has a bachelor’s degree in Education and Mathematics from Otterbein University, as well as an associate degree in Electronic Media from Ohio University. She is currently continuing her education at Ohio University. Sam loves technical theater and has been a drama instructor since 2013. Certification Team https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined • Beth Tansey Peller, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, RN, BS, BSN, Certification Examiner/Mentor Coach • Ellen Goldman, M.Ed, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner/Mentor Coach • Susan O'Donnell, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner/Mentor Coach • Gillian Hood, PCC, NBC-HWC, CHWC, Certification Examiner • Bridget Griffin Thompson, MPH, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner • Shayla Roberts, BHK, PCC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner • Kenly Brozman, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner • Holly Margl, MCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner/Mentor Coach • Megan Aronson, MA, MCHES, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Certification Examiner/Mentor Coach • John Marshall, PCC, NBC-HWC, CPHWC, Mentor Coach • Cathy Dunford, PCC, NBC-HWC, NASM CPT, CPHWC, Mentor Coach

Welcome to Wellcoaches' On-Demand Learning Offerings. We invite you to take advantage of these opportunities to earn continuing education for further professional development and/or credential renewals. Courses available on-demand Coaching Specialty Collection I Coaching Specialty Collection II Coaching Clients to a Healthy Weight: Clearing a Path to Healthier Lives in Diet Culture Motivational Interviewing-Applying Evidence-based Strategies for Positive Behavior Change and Growth GLP-1 Medications: Coaching Considerations When Supporting Clients Through a Weight-Loss Process Coaching Specialty Collection I CEUs: Wellcoaches 5, NBHWC 5, ACSM 5, NCHEC 4 ADD TO CART    $125 This collection of five continuing education classes will help you hone your coaching skills. The Collection I series covers affirmations, open-ended questions, systemic coaching, how contracts play a role in coaching, and more. Four sessions offer coaching demonstrations, and the fifth class provides a thoughtful conversation about many coaching challenges that may, directly or indirectly, result from unclear contract parameters. ( This collection of classes was initially hosted in our Wellcoaches Membership program. ) In this offering, you will learn how to: * Describe how close-ended questions can sometimes come from an expert mindset and transcribe them into open-ended, thought-provoking inquiries * Shift from praising to truly affirming * Replace repeating with perceptive and other types of reflections * Define Systemic Coaching * See the value of coaching from a systems perspective * Recognize the steps to setting up the dialogue with a symptom exercise * Observe a coaching demonstration that supports a client to explore, grow, and learn from the written dialogue * Discuss lessons learned following the demonstration * Consider where/how you might use this tool Coaching Specialty Collection II CEUs: Wellcoaches 5, NBHWC 5, ACSM 5, NCHEC 3 ADD TO CART  $125 This collection of five continuing education classes will help you grow and expand your coaching skills. The Collection II series covers A Coach Approach to Mental Health, Coaching Clients with Burnout Symptoms, Coaching Skills in Action: Words Create Worlds, Coaching Skills in Action: Honoring the Integrity of the Generative Moment, and Reflections. The first class in the series provides an essential structure for how a coach can approach mental health issues that may show up in the course of a coaching relationship. Three sessions offer coaching demonstrations focusing on issues of today like burnout, appreciative inquiry, and the deep value of the generative moment. Lastly, the fifth session covers reflections, the different kinds that can be used in a coaching session, and how to use them effectively. (This collection of classes was initially hosted in our Wellcoaches Membership program.) Through this collection, you will learn how to: * Name indicators of declining mental health in a person* Identify and follow a referral process for further investigation/treatment* Identify red flags in mental health and take appropriate action * Employ the 5 stages of AI in a coaching context* Appraise the value of the 5 AI principles as a systemic rather than linear model * Evaluate the impact of AI inquiries focussed on perceived negative experiences address key facets of burnout * Identify coaching approaches for dealing with burnout among clients, including other coaches* Demonstrate how the coach honors the client’s agenda* Demonstrate relational flow between coach and client * Explain how to stay grounded and focused as a coach during a generative moment. * Describe the main types of reflections and the circumstances in which they may be used for the best effect. * Practice making reflections using a variety of linguistic styles. Coaching Clients to a Healthy Weight: Clearing a Path to Healthier Lives in Diet Culture with Greg Hottinger  and Michael Scholtz CEUs:  Wellcoaches 9, ACSM 9, NBHWC 9, NCHEC 9 ADD TO CART  $250 There are many mixed messages to consider when coaching clients toward their weight loss goal. There is pressure from society to achieve a specific body weight or shape. And when a client’s weight is considered a health risk there is also pressure from the healthcare field. As a result, many overweight clients have unrealistic expectations and low self-acceptance and feel defeated by efforts to lose weight.   And, for those who are overweight but active and healthy, research shows that losing as little as 5% of body weight can make a positive health difference, including the prevention of Type II diabetes.   Navigating this world of confusing information and often conflicting standards and expectations is difficult. With the increasing prevalence of our population dealing with issues related to overweight and obesity, coaches need to be appropriately skilled to assist their clients in working toward a healthier life. Participation in this course will provide coaches with: An understanding of the evidence of how people lose weight An in-depth look at seven key obstacles to weight loss An exploration of dozens of practical tools designed to help your clients approach weight loss or weight maintenance in a compassionate way Motivational Interviewing-Applying Evidence-based Strategies for Positive Behavior Change and Growth with Darlene Trandel CEUs: Wellcoaches 10, NBHWC 10, ACSM 10, NCHEC 10 ADD TO CART  $250 This class will guide participants through an in-depth sequence of learning activities to enhance their knowledge, skills, and application of Motivational Interviewing and add to their coaching competencies.  Using the newly released, entirely rewritten 4th edition by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick , the class incorporates the changes reflected in this text and updates the thinking about what creates behavior change over longer growth spans.  The fourth edition has an increased emphasis on growth, in addition to change, and introduces new concepts, skills, and upgraded and simplified terminology introduced in the classes. Participants will: Explore the different ways to support behavior change included in the Motivational interviewing four "tasks" (previously called processes): Engaging, Guiding, Evoking, and Planning. Expand their skills in applying the key principles and core skills of MI. Discuss sharing information with your patients/clients using coaching competencies. Deepen and vary reflective listening skills, eliciting change talk and responding effectively to sustain talk, discord, and change talk. Develop additional skills for helping clients/patients to explore and resolve their ambivalence about health behavior change. Apply and practice MI skills and strategies designed to evoke motivation for change. Adapt the MI method and spirit to best fit participants’ current practice setting. GLP-1 Medications : Coaching Considerations When Supporting Clients Through a Weight-Loss Process with Greg Hottinger  and Michael Scholtz CEUs:  Wellcoaches 6, ACSM 6, NBHWC 6 ADD TO CART $200 GLP-1 meds are currently the most popular weight loss tool on the market and coaches need to be well informed to be helpful. This multi-week course will explore GLP-1 medications, their efficacy, the conc erns, personal biases, and how best to support your clients who are considering using or currently taking these medications. This course will include an overview of the most popular medications on the market right now. In this series, you will: * Understand and analyze the current biases coaches may have related to GLP-1 meds. * Evaluate and understand the types of GLP-1 meds, how they work, the data, the side-effects, and long-term projections. * Understand the physiological effects of GLP-1 meds and be able to evaluate and apply behavior change knowledge that will best support the client. * Apply relevant coaching skills in role-play scenarios to engage with the client in specific situations relevant to GLP-1 medications.

Left to right, Simon Matthews, Susan Benigas, and Dean Ornish Felicitations to the 2025 ACLM Fellows ! A special hurrah to the Wellcoaches community members amongst them!: Qadira Ali, MD, MPH, DipABLM, FACLM , Deborah Chielli, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, FACLM , Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM, FACLM, MSCP , Sarah-Ann Keyes, EdD, PA-C, DipACLM, FACLM , Simran Malhotra, MD, DipABLM, CHWC, FACLM , and Shanna Mello, EdD, MS, DipACLM, FACLM . Congratulations to UNT Health Fort Worth, Debbie Gillespie , & Misti Zablosky !  Wellcoaches is proud to be their partner and provide the coaching component for their Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences & Coaching  degree program. At LM2025 they were awarded ACLM’s Special Recognition Award in the Graduate Category.  Presenting the award on behalf of the Awards Committee, Sami Bég said, “Drs. Zablosky and Gillespie showed remarkable vision in bringing lifestyle medicine into the academic setting with this first-of-its-kind program. Their leadership is playing a pivotal role in advancing lifestyle medicine as the future of healthcare and educating the next generation of professionals.” Margaret Moore and Joe Sage At his Candid Medical practice in Oregon, Wellcoach  Joe Sage  (Dr. Joe) provides individual coaching and lifestyle medicine.  He also uses his Wellcoach training and physician leadership training to help healthcare teams with workplace well-being.  At LM2025 he shared his wisdom regarding the latter in his LM2025 presentation, “Longevity and Legacy: How to Practice Medicine without Burnout.” Sage described how “work culture, work practices, and personal resilience interact as a framework for professional fulfillment.”   Conference attendees can access his presentation’s slides through the conference’s website.  ( Other Wellcoaches who have also made their presentation slides available include Ziya Altug & Wendy Farnen-Price, Melissa Reznar, Simon Matthews, Kara Tibbe, and Michelle Crawford. Plus, you can see the slides for Margaret’s “Coaching is Healthcare: Next steps for Medical Practices.”)   You’ll be able to learn more about Dr. Joe on an upcoming Wellcoaches Inside podcast episode! Rani Polak and Margaret Moore   Also at LM2025 were poster presentations by several Wellcoaches, and we have been given permission to share the posters with you.  Along with colleagues from Sheba Medical Center, our faculty person Rani Polak  conducted a study on “ Coaching for individuals with end stage lung disease ” – both coaching to help prepare for lung transplantation, and coaching to help improve outcomes afterwards. Their 24-month RCT compared individuals who participated in a Health Coaching Telemedicine Program with a control group who was simply given lifestyle-related reading material.     Wellcoach Sylvia K. Perry, DNP  and Elizabeth Abraham, RN  shared their poster presentation  on a study they conducted about the impacts of a lifestyle medicine program – PAVING the Path to Wellness - on healthcare workers’ well-being.  The study looked at the program’s impact on two cohorts, one of clinical research staff and one of advanced practice providers.  PAVING the Path  was originally developed by Wellcoach alum Beth Frates, MD  and has been supported by Amy Comander, MD , Michelle Tollefson, MD , and Valeria Tivnan .  Beth originally developed PAVING to use with stroke survivors, Amy adapted it to use with breast cancer survivors, and Sylvia and Elizabeth adapted it to use in the workplace.

Polypharmacy is defined , usually though not formally, as regular, concurrent use of five or more medications. Meeting this definition is relatively easy for older adults who, on average, take four daily medications.  15% of older adults are taking eight or more meds!  This is not a problem confined to those over 65. The young and middle-aged often take prescription medicines to treat depression, pain-remediation, risk factor mitigation, and disease control.  We can easily imagine a patient with hypertension and diabetes having a daily management regimen exceeding five prescriptions. Over-the-counter medications can add to the medicinal pile-up as they may also interact with prescribed meds. Polypharmacy is often necessary  and appropriate to treat multiple chronic diseases.  However, it is also possible for polypharmacy to be inappropriate and result from years of medical treatment without regular, careful reevaluation of patient status. The consequences of polypharmacy  are many and can be seen at the systemic, societal, and individual levels. Excessive medication costs and greater hospitalization burden the healthcare system, while patient debilitation can strain families, friends, and communities. A patient can suffer from a multitude of adverse effects of medicines, ranging from loss of appetite to decreased interest in usual activities and potentially mental confusion. There is also danger in poor adherence to essential medications when so many pills are to be remembered and juggled daily. Recognizing the adverse effects of polypharmacy  is not easy because many of the signs and symptoms can be attributed to other aspects of illness and disease. Notwithstanding that, some adverse effects of polypharmacy can be sleeplessness, decreased alertness, GI problems, depression, and greater incidents of falls.  In fact, taking four or more medications is known to be associated with a greater likelihood of falling.   Health and well-being coaches (HWC) are impactful  in helping people with multiple conditions improve their health. Coaches can also help patients take responsibility for adhering to their medication regimens.  Studies show that HWC can support a patient’s goals regarding medication adherence by facilitating coaching conversations that include discussion about a client’s medications.  The alert and caring HWC can encourage a patient to recognize the risks of polypharmacy and support the patient’s efforts to engage with their physicians on reducing these risks.  Coaches working with patients managing polypharmacy in clinical settings and integrated into patient care teams will need to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills to effectively support polypharmacy discussions with patients.  This can be accomplished on the job or in training programs consistent with the HWC scope of practice. Patient-driven behavior change, as supported by the HWC , can lead to health improvements. Changing physical activity and diet patterns, loss in body weight, and improved mental outlook (e.g., reduced anxiety) can all change the need for prescription medications.  The vigilant HWC recognizes this possibility and supports patients' understanding that changing their lifestyle behavior can also affect their medication needs  HWC's scope of practice  must be carefully considered when assisting a client who is potentially dealing with the adverse effects of polypharmacy.  The HWC should not undertake responsibility for a client’s compliance with their prescriptions.  Instead, the coach should enable patients to be self-accountable for managing their medications.  The coach can be familiar with their clients’ prescriptions but not responsible for tracking them.  The National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches and the law are clear: unless authorized by license (e.g., MD, NP, PA), a HWC can never prescribe, adjust, or recommend any changes to a client’s medications.  Directing a client to alter medication can be a life-threatening action while also putting the HWC in a legally dangerous situation. The HWC can help  clients identify resources to increase their medication literacy and understand each of the medications they are taking.  HWC can collaborate in the development of the client’s plan for following their medication regimen.  And importantly, the HWC can support the clients’ preparation for visits (list of all meds, symptoms) with the prescriber. HWC promotes self- efficacy by encouraging clients to voice concerns, ask questions, and have conversations about medications with healthcare providers.  Empowering clients to care for themselves is a central role of the HWC.  In summary , the HWC needs to operate within the HWC’s scope of practice while assisting clients who are negatively impacted by polypharmacy.  The HWC who is working with a patient with comorbidities needs to be effectively integrated within the patient’s health care team.  While a HWC has no role in medication prescription, if properly trained the HWC can effectively coach clients to understand potential adverse impacts of polypharmacy and to self-monitor themselves for such adverse effects. Through empowerment and referral to education and care coordination resources, the HWC can help clients in their medication optimization efforts.  The coach’s client-centered approach makes them a valuable ally in the healthcare team’s efforts to enhance patient well-being while mitigating the risks of polypharmacy.  On a broader scale, these efforts can help alleviate patient suffering, reduce healthcare utilization, and lower the overall costs associated with widespread polypharmacy in our healthcare system. 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