New issue brief, webinar look at lifestyle interventions as key to population health management success

HealthFitness' Dennis Richling, M.D., and Kelly Merriman explore key features of integrated health coaching in employee health management programs

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Adam" is a typical, hardworking 40-year-old company manager who works 50 hours a week and believes he is in good health. He recently took part in a health screening—part of his worksite health management program. His blood pressure is normal, but his cholesterol is a little high. He is overweight. He doesn't exercise regularly and isn't eating a healthy diet, because he hasn't figured out how to balance his work schedule with his family life. He is like many people in the workforce—and he is at risk for chronic disease.

Tested approaches to lifestyle and behavior risk change health coaching that engage and empower employees and health plan members can deliver better population health management and lower health care costs. A new issue brief from HealthFitness explores the key features of an integrated health coaching strategy that addresses the needs of individuals across the population health risk continuum—including people like Adam and those who already have chronic conditions—while delivering person-centered results.

"Taking lifestyle coaching and condition management to the next level" examines the diverse health needs of employee populations and the different types of coaching approaches to address their health improvement goals. For instance, it is often assumed that an individual with a chronic disease should be enrolled in a traditional disease management program with a nurse coaching model. But many times, a different lifestyle intervention is needed.

"Participants should be matched with the predominant need in their life: lifestyle coaching, advanced practice coaching or chronic condition management," said Dennis Richling, M.D., HealthFitness' chief medical and wellness officer. "We've also advanced the traditional clinical nurse coaching model by adding the elements of positive engagement that motivate people to change." The brief shares the key features of the EMPOWERED Coaching™ model, from assessing participant needs to evaluating and measuring the program's impact in terms of reduced risks, improved health outcomes and lower costs.

The issue brief also features Kelly Merriman, HealthFitness' vice president of service delivery.

Merriman holds a master's degree in epidemiology and is a trained personal life coach; she oversees the company's coaching, worksite screening, engagement and health advocacy services.

Richling will tell Adam's story when he and Merriman are the featured speakers in a related webinar, Integrated Health Coaching: The Next Generation in Health Behavior Change Management, Sept. 20, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, sponsored by the Healthcare Intelligence Network. Click here for webinar registration details.

About HealthFitness
HealthFitness, a subsidiary of The Trustmark Companies, is an award-winning, NCQA-accredited provider of health, fitness and condition management solutions. With 30-plus years of experience, HealthFitness is a proven leader and partner for infusing a culture of health. We maximize client results through personalized interaction and a science-based approach to on-site program management, engagement, prevention, and health and lifestyle management. HealthFitness provides a portfolio of solutions, including best-in-class integration, condition management, INSIGHT^® Health Risk Assessments, screenings, EMPOWERED Coaching^™ and fitness facility design and management. For more information on HealthFitness, visit www.healthfitness.com.

SOURCE HealthFitness