A Patient-Centered Approach to Weight Management Coaching

摘要

Concerned health professionalsnfrequently have expressed thendesire to learn how to inducenpatients to change their behavior. On itsnface, this desire is paternalistic rathernthan patient centered, since it substitutesnthe clinician’s goals for those ofnthe patient. Health counseling may benovertly directive, educating the patientnabout what his goals should be andnwhat behaviors he should adopt. Many clinicians have hadnlittle success with this kind of frontal assault, however. Havingnheard that readiness is crucial to change, they may ask ifnthe patient is ready, and if the answer is negative, drop thenissue in favor of a better time.