Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Coaching in Primary Care
The NHS is shifting its focus from treating ill health to preventing it. This prevention can take many forms but a key element is supporting individuals to make positive changes to their health behaviours and lifestyle.
Health and wellbeing coaches offer an inclusive means of supporting individuals to make these changes. The role is well suited to primary care and supported by the NHS, but their use is inconsistent, and their role often misunderstood by staff and patients.
This study is working with primary care staff, health coaches and diverse patients to develop guidance and messaging for integrating and supporting health and well-being coaches in primary care organisations. Alongside this our team will develop information on the roles and benefits of health and wellbeing coaches to promote interest and engagement in all sections of the patient population.
The work is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB).
Meet the team
Meet the team
- Dr Ian Litchfield – University of Birmingham, Birmingham Health Partners
- Dr Nicole Adams-Quackenbush – Birmingham Voluntary Services Council
- Patient representative - TBC
- Dr Christine Burt – Birmingham Community NHS Foundation Trust
- Nabila Gardner – Ways for Wellbeing
- Hamid Lea – Ashiana Community Project
- Dr Jenni Naisby - Personalised Care Institute
- Izabella Natrins – UK & International Health Coaching Association
Aims
Aims
Our overall aim is to develop understanding of how NHS-funded health and wellbeing coaches can be embedded in primary care teams. This includes improving access, referral, engagement and acceptability for those accessing health and wellbeing coaching from diverse populations.
Overview of the work
Overview of the work
The work has three inter-related objectives.
- To determine how Health and Wellbeing coaches (HWBCs) are being utilised nationally in primary care through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, including the training and backgrounds of individual coaches, the staffing models and supporting infrastructure within primary care organisations, and any existing guidance and education available for staff and patients.
- Explore the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of individual health coaches currently working in primary care, a range of general practice staff, and of diverse patient populations, particularly those in underserved communities.
- Develop guidance for primary care organisations and their staff, coaches, and patients to increase uptake, and engagement with health and wellbeing coaching by primary care staff and diverse patient populations.
How to get involved
How to get involved
Please check back on this website soon for further details on how you can get involved as a member of the public, health and wellbeing coach, primary care staff member.