Web-based health coaching: A cost-effective option for worksite health promotion

Regardless of the quality of the health/fitness activities and facilities offered to them through the workplace, if employees are not motivated to make changes in their lives and take advantage of those resources, very little progress will be made in creating a healthier, more productive workforce. To address this critical motivational element, some companies have turned to web-based health coaching systems for their employees. Through these online platforms, a professionally trained health coach works individually with each employee enrolled in the system to identify personal health risks, determine what changes he or she is ready to make, and define a realistic health/fitness goal that can be accomplished in a set time frame. A multidimensional, individualized behavior change plan is then mapped out for the participant, and consistent follow-up is provided via both passive and real-time interaction between the participant and their coach to help assure the goal is attained. Web-based coaching can be provided at relatively low cost compared to other delivery modes, and is attractive to those who prefer to interact with their coach at their own time discretion, since it is accessible at nearly any hour, anywhere in the world where an employee has Internet access. In this presentation, studies of the effectiveness of health coaching in helping individuals change their behaviors and reduce their risks for illness, chronic disease, and injury will be discussed.