Case Studies: Person-Centered Health Coaching in People With Negative Social Determinants of Health

• Published in: AJPM Focus 2023-09, Vol.2 (3), p.100109-100109, Article 100109
• Main Authors: Butterworth, Susan, Potempa, Stacia, Laughlin, Candia, Flaherty-Robb, Marna, Calarco, Margaret, Harden, Karen, Schmidt, Patricia, Furspan, Philip, Potempa, Kathleen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Study; Health coaching; health policy; nurse; social determinants
• ISSN: 2773-0654; 2773-0654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100109

•A science-based, nurse health coaching model was provided to older adult participants.•Social determinants may affect the types of goals, processes, and potential outcomes.•Health coaching can produce positive outcomes for people facing social risk factors.•Two outcomes seen were greater self-esteem and commitment to health behavior change. Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environment that influence health outcomes, such as housing, transportation, and neighborhoods. In this report, we examine 3 cases of participants with social risk factors who participated in a health coaching intervention study. The study was a science-based, nurse health coaching model provided to older adult participants in a Midwestern state designed to equip and empower them to achieve and maintain their health and optimum function to support independent living at home. The program was an 8-week virtual coaching method using weekly, 30-minute, 2-way video coaching sessions with participants. For each of the 3 cases, we describe the patterns of engagement, early and later health goals as coaching progressed, and the types of outcomes achieved. From these case studies, we illustrate how social determinants may affect the types of goals, processes, and potential outcomes achieved by participants of health coaching programs. From these insights, we propose directions in health policy and services and future research considerations.