Short summary

A growing demand on personalized medicine calls for innovative methods to optimize treatment of the patient. Based on non-scientific but systematic long-term self-tracking experiences, we have hypothesized that self-tracking in combination with coaching can empower the patient to take more responsibility for their illness and life in general. Moreover, we hypothesised that it could optimise the treatment and improve health of the patient. 

The aim of our study is to develop an intervention called data-guided health coaching and test the feasibilty in a clinical setting.

Rationale

A growing demand on personalized medicine calls for innovative methods to optimize treatment of the patient. Based on non-scientific but systematic long-term self-tracking experiences, we have hypothesized that self-tracking in combination with coaching can empower the patient to take more responsibility for their illness and life in general. Moreover, we hypothesise that it has the potential to optimise the treatment and improve health of the patient. 

A pilot study has been conducted in 2016 with the aim of developing the intervention when it comes to individual adjustment of the mobile app (MitForløb) and wearables, and the form and standard of coaching. The setting was the Department of Urology, Lillebaelt Hospital, Denmark. The intervention consisted of a self-tracking app in addition to frequent health coaching sessions conducted by a nurse. The interval between the coaching sessions varied according to patients' need. Subsequent to each coaching session a short resume was written in the patient record in order to keep the treating doctor informed.

Prior to the pilot study the nurse was coached on basis of her own self-tracked data in order to test the intervention. During the pilot study she was supervised by a trained coach. The coaching method was inspired by life coaching, which is a method that focuses on a person's whole life. Life coaching is based on the assumption that the patient primarily should identify and prioritize what is most important in his/her life. Accordingly, it is the patient who choose the topic, the action, and the results he/she want to achieve. 

If it was found beneficial for the self-tracking process, the mobile app was supplemented by wearable instrumentation.

The data that was chosen to track, focused on what was most important for the patient to change, but as the decision was taken in cooperation with the nurses it also implicated her professional knowledge. The subsequent coaching sessions were based on the self-tracked data but with a holistic approach to the patient. Accordingly, the nurse used her health knowledge in the coaching sessions to guide the patient in changing life style. 

Our initial experience is that data-guided health coaching seems to improve engagement in own treatment and health as a result of an increased consciousness about associations between symptoms and own health related actions. 

The aim of our study is to develop this intervention called data-guided health coaching and test the feasibilty in a clinical setting.

Description of the cohort

Patients living with a chronic disease.

Data and biological material

Qualitative interviews, field notes and survey data.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Urological Research Center

• Professor Palle Osther, PhD