Medical Coaching: An Essential Partner for Doctors and Hospitals
A practical approach that makes a patient feel fully seen, heard, and supported.
The workload for medical psychologists in hospitals is currently very high, with significant waiting times for patients needing psychological support after diagnoses such as cancer, a heart attack, or a chronic illness that severely affects daily life for the patient or for those recovering.
In many cases, psychologists have reported an increase in demand for their services since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2022 report from the American Psychological Association, 60% of psychologists indicated they could not accommodate new patients, while over 40% had a waiting list of ten or more patients (American Psychological Association). In the Netherlands, there was a 30% increase in anxiety and depression complaints, and the wait time for an intake rose to an average of 16 weeks (source: Trimbos Institute).
The high workload and long waiting times are the result of a combination of factors, including an increase in demand for mental health care and a shortage of staff in the sector. The problem is exacerbated by the complexity of the cases that psychologists face and the limited resources available to meet growing needs.
A medical coach is an alternative for doctors and hospitals to refer a patient to. Both the doctor and the hospital also benefit from this.
Why a medical coach?
A medical coach offers doctors and hospitals a valuable option to refer patients for personal guidance. This is beneficial not only for the patient but also for the medical practitioners and the healthcare institution.
What Does a Medical Coach Do?
A medical coach guides patients and their families during hospital visits and treatments, and also supports them at home. This guidance helps patients to tap into their own self-healing abilities, which is essential for an effective healing process.
Why Is This Important?
The process of patient recovery and healing consists of two components:
The patient’s self-healing ability – a patient who is aware of their self-healing ability, realizes that they can only do this themselves and is supported in this by a medical coach, has the best chance for successful long-term recovery;
The recovery through the doctor's methods – a motivated and resilient patient cooperates better with a treatment plan, which increases the effectiveness of the medical treatment.
Support in difficult times
Not every patient is prepared for the challenges of illness. A medical coach provides mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support, helping patients maintain balance and cope during difficult times.
Holistic healthcare
Health goes beyond the absence of disease. It includes balance in all aspects: self-healing, medical treatments, adapting to new health conditions, adjusting to a new lifestyle, fulfilling old and new dreams in changing circumstances, and finding new meaning in one’s life. A medical coach helps patients find this balance, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Referring to medical coaching
By referring to specialized medical coaching, you help patients increase their resilience and optimize their healing process. This contributes to a better overall care experience and more effective treatment results.
Therefore:
Create an inclusive, holistic care culture in patient treatment.
Engage in timely conversations with your patients and do not neglect their mental and emotional well-being.
How?
Engage in timely conversations with your patients and do not neglect their mental and emotional well-being.
A 3-Step Plan for Referring to a Medical Coach
Step !: Evaluation and Assessment
ObjectiveIdentify the need for mental and emotional support.
The attending physician or specialist discusses the medical diagnosis and treatment with the patient. They also assess the patient's need to ensure well-being during treatment and address the support required to cope with the situation.
Step 2: Communication and Education
ObjectivePrepare the patient for the referral and explain the process.
Engage in an open and empathetic conversation with the patient about their emotional well-being and the benefits of medical coaching. Explain what a medical coach does, how they can help, and what the patient can expect from the sessions. Involve family members or caregivers in the conversation if necessary to create a supportive network.
Step 3: Referral and Follow-Up
Objective: Ensure a smooth transition to emotional and mental care and monitor progress.
- Referral: Encourage the patient to schedule an intake appointment with a medical coach at the hospital or associated practice. Provide them with the necessary information and contact details.
- Follow-Up: Discuss the progress of the medical coaching program with the patient at each follow-up appointment, addressing any further concerns to ensure they receive the necessary support.
This plan ensures that the patient is referred to a medical coach in a structured and supportive manner, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and emotional well-being.
So:
Let's have a conversation to discuss what I can do for you as a doctor or hospital.
I would like to explain the value of medical coaching for your practice.
Let's meet and have a discussion about this.
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