The experiences, responsibilities, and recommendations of the Registered Nurse Health Coach in Alberta

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that almost half of the adult population are living with at least one chronic disease and 70% of healthcare costs involve the care of individuals with long term chronic conditions. The Registered Nurse Health Coach (RNHC) is well positioned to partner with these individuals to enhance primary healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes. This thesis includes a literature review on the current evidence on the RNHC role and a study guided by the following broad question: what are the experiences, roles, and recommendations of the Registered Nurse Health Coach in Alberta? A qualitative descriptive study design was utilized to examine the RNHC experiences in the Alberta primary healthcare setting and explore the opportunities and challenges experienced by the RNHC. Limited research exists in Canada on the role of the RNHC. Findings from this study suggested that the RNHC role supports individuals achieve their healthcare needs through specialized skills and a unique approach to health. This approach helps RNHCs create partnerships with clients that empowers individuals to positively influence their own health. The RNHC participants from this study discussed how these partnerships and experiences with clients reignited their passion and pride as Registered Nurses practicing as health coaches. It is expected the findings will contribute to the current understanding of the RNHC role within the Alberta primary care context. This knowledge will inform future research, healthcare teams, and Registered Nurses in the Alberta Primary Care Network (PCN) of the role of RNHCs.

Authors

• Rohovie, Erin C.
• University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences

• nursing
• coaching
• health coaching
• primary care
• nurse coaching
• primary care network
• Primary care (Medicine)--Alberta
• Health coaches--Alberta
• Nurse and patient--Alberta
• Nurses--Alberta--Interviews
• Nurses--Alberta--Attitudes
• Health counseling--Research--Alberta
• Chronic diseases--Alberta--Prevention
• Preventive health services--Research--Alberta
• Primary health care--Alberta
• Patient-centered health care--Alberta
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/6470

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/6470