�Bringing Health Coaches Into the Doctor�s Office: Building Consensus on Their Role in Primary Care�
Whitman, Susan
Whitman, Susan
Citations
Altmetric:
License
License
Abstract
Background: Most chronic conditions are driven by behaviors that require ongoing, personalized support�something traditional medical visits rarely have time to provide. Clinical Health & Well-Being Coaches (CHWCs) are trained in evidence?based behavior?change methods and are emerging as valuable partners in primary care. Yet their integration into clinical teams remains inconsistent, largely because no consensus-based practice standards currently define how CHWCs should work within healthcare systems. Purpose: This study aims to establish expert consensus on the essential practice standards, workflows, and system supports needed to effectively integrate CHWCs into primary care teams. Methods: Using a modified Delphi design, this research engages 15-40 experts�including clinicians, clinical health coaches, behavioral health providers, and health system leaders�across three iterative rounds. Round 0: Qualitative interviews and focus groups explored role boundaries, referral pathways, documentation expectations, collaboration practices, and system?level needs. Round 1: Draft statements derived from Round 1 were rated on importance and feasibility. Round 2: Participants re?rated items after reviewing group feedback. Round 3: Participants re-rate to establish final consensus statements Results: Preliminary findings generated eight domains of practice standards: role definition, collaboration, documentation, referral pathways, training and supervision, system?level support, equity and access, and outcomes measurement. Across domains, experts emphasized the need for clear role boundaries, integration into team routines, standardized EHR documentation, structured onboarding, and leadership buy?in to ensure sustainable implementation. Significance: This study provides one of the first consensus?driven frameworks to guide the integration of CHWCs into primary care. Clear practice standards can improve collaboration, increase role clarity, enhance patient engagement, and support whole?person care. Findings may inform job descriptions, training programs, reimbursement pathways, and organizational adoption strategies.
Description
Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Graduate Student
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type of presentation
Poster
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
DOI
Advisor(s)
Department
Program/Major
Interprofessional Health Sciences PhD
College/School
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Organization
Research Category
Clinical Science