The Role and Effectiveness of Diabetes Coaches in British Columbia

World Diabetes Day (November 14) reminds us of the importance of awareness and care of chronic diseases, specifically diabetes. In recognition, we wanted to highlight a 2018 study that exemplifies how health coaches can help alleviate some of the burden for individuals with diabetes.

Click below to read more!

The study by McGowan (2018) observes the effect of weekly telephone sessions with a peer coach for a period of 6 months. Along with providing diabetes education to patients, coaches encouraged self-management behaviours and acted as accountability partners. Some of the topics coaches discussed with patients included medication, foot care, weight concerns, blood glucose, and sleep.

Having a consistent source of support and encouragement inspirited participants to work through setbacks and get them back onto their desired track. Participants reported feeling increasingly confident in their abilities to deal with their diabetes, and experienced improved self-management and an increased sense of agency. They also appreciated the sense of community that coaches provide and having a supporter who understands the everyday challenges they face.
​
As a result, patients described various significant improvements in their lives due to having the assistance of a health coach. Some of the results include:

• More consistent blood glucose monitoring 
• Healthier eating habits
• Increased physical activity
• Better stress management
• Improved sleep practices
• Positive change in attitude
• Increased communication with physicians

 
Health coaches play a vital role in bridging the gap between medical care and everyday life. They empower individuals to take ownership of their health by offering personalized guidance, accountability, and support that extends beyond clinical settings. By promoting collaboration between patients and healthcare providers, health coaches not only enhance disease management but also contribute to improved quality of life and reduced healthcare strain. Their work is an essential complement to traditional care, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, where consistent, compassionate guidance can make all the difference.

Check out the study here!