From Expert to Coach - Health Coaching to Empower Health Behavior Change
Description
Adverse health behaviors are significant risk factors for non-communicable diseases which are responsible for more than 80% of the burden of disease in the older adult US population. Physical therapists have the capacity to catalyze behavior change in their patients to reduce the risk of disease and promote health. One way to effect these changes is through health coaching, a dynamic, collaborative relationship where patients are guided to use their values and strengths to realize their health and wellness goals.
This presentation will:
• Define a health coaching approach
• Compare and contrast a typical PT and a coach approach
• Appraise the evidence for health coaching delivered by PTs
• Imagine ways to integrate health coaching into clinical practice
About The Speaker(s)
Dr. Zachary D. Rethorn is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and certified health coach with clinical and research expertise in musculoskeletal pain conditions, physical activity, and health promotion. He earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Belmont University followed by his DPT degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dr. Rethorn has completed a residency in orthopedic physical therapy through Benchmark Rehab Institute and is a PhD candidate in health promotion and wellness at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions where his research focuses on how health professionals promote physical activity with their patients. He is a faculty development resident at Duke University in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Division and owner of Rethorn Physical Therapy and Wellness, a digital physical therapy practice. He has presented at national and international conferences on topics related to orthopedic physical therapy and health promotion.
