Impact of Physician Referral to Health Coaching on Patient Engagement and Health Risks: An Observational Study of UPMC's Prescription for Wellness. Issue 4 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parkinson, Michael D.; Hammonds, Tracy; Keyser, Donna J.; Wheeler, Jennie R.; Peele, Pamela B.
• Is Part Of: American journal of health promotion. Volume 34:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: fitness interventions -- nutrition interventions -- mind-body health interventions -- stress management interventions -- tobacco control interventions -- weight control interventions -- clinical specific settings -- health coaching; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health Promotion; Health promotion; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0890117119900588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-1171

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate impact of physician referral to health coaching on patient engagement and health risk reduction. Design: Four-year retrospective, observational cohort study with propensity-matched pair comparisons. Setting: Integrated delivery and finance system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sample: 10 457 adult insured members referred to health coaching by their physician; 37 864 other members identified for health coaching through insurer-initiated outreach. Intervention: Practice-based, technology-supported workflow and process for physician prescribing of health coaching during regular office visit, with follow-up on patient's progress and implementation supports. Measures: Patient engagement based on completion of pre-enrollment assessment, formal enrollment in health coaching, completion of required sessions, health risk levels, and number of health risks pre- and post-health coaching referral. Analysis: Difference-in-difference analysis to assess change in health risk levels and number of health risks pre- and post-health coaching and probability weighting to control for potential confounding between groups. Results: Members referred by a physician were significantly more likely to enroll in a health coaching program (21.0% vs 6.0%, P < .001) and complete the program requirements (8.5% vs 2.7%, P < .001) than when referred by insurer-initiated outreach; significant within group improvement in health risk levels from baseline ( P < .001) was observed for both the groups. Conclusions: Patients are significantly more likely to engage in health coaching when a referral is made by a physician; engagement in health coaching significantly improves health risk levels.