- The “change” that chooses the client is the medical diagnosis. In Health Coaching the client chooses the “goal” (i.e. weight loss or increased exercise routine)
- Articulating a positive goal during a difficult situation is what takes place in Medical Coaching
- Medical Coaches are comfortable and familiar with emotional overload (i.e anxiety and despair).
- Chronic stress shows up for the client in Medical Coaching as opposed to acute stress. The stress remains for the duration of the illness.
- Medical Coaches work with trauma in the context of medical diagnosis and medical treatment
- Medical Coaching addresses loss of health and trust in the body, not just end of life
- The concept of living with an “invisible illness” is often addressed in Medical Coaching.
- Medical Coach’s address physical pain in their clients.
- The approach that a Medical Coach uses regarding taking medication or following a medical protocol is “adherence”. Adherence is aligned with the client’s beliefs and values. The Medical Coach helps a client to look at what’s possible if they do or do not take medication or follow the prescribed course of treatment. A Health Coach uses “compliance” which is the degree to which a client/patient “correctly follows medical advice. Health and Wellness Coaches typically integrate their work with nutrition and exercise counseling.