As patients, we feel so powerless sometimes. We're at the mercy of our doctors. We're at the mercy of our insurance company. A health coach can help us realize that we have what's called "self-efficacy." We gain a sense of control over our pain, and we engage in our own care in a vitally powerful way. When we engage in our care and gain that control, it's really empowering. We understand that, "I am responsible for myself, and I have the ability to improve my pain."

Key Points

• Sports has already figured out how important coaching is. Executive management has figured out how important coaching is. We need to apply it to health now.
• New studies show that patient pain levels and functional status improve dramatically with just a coaching model alone.
• A transformative care model: where you integrate coaching and patient training with treatment, using a team of medical professionals, a health coach, and technology.
• Additional studies demonstrate what happens when you integrate health coaching into routine care, estimating the reduction in health care cost would be at least 50%.
• Patient-centered care is really where it's at. How do we create a system with health care providers with care that really transforms patients and provides the care they need to actually get better long term?

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com.