Lifestyle coaches as a central professional in the health care network? Dynamic changes over time using a network analysis.
Combined lifestyle intervention
Dynamic changes over time
Health care professionals
Lifestyle coaching
Network analysis
Obesity
Overweight
Journal
BMC health services research
ISSN: 1472-6963
Titre abrégé: BMC Health Serv Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101088677
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
19 Mar 2021
19 Mar 2021
Historique:
received:
21
07
2020
accepted:
08
03
2021
entrez:
20
3
2021
pubmed:
21
3
2021
medline:
15
5
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Overweight and obesity are problems that are increasing globally in both children as well as adults, and may be prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Lifestyle coaches counsel overweight and obese children (and their parents) as well as adults in initiating and maintaining healthier lifestyle behaviours. It is currently unclear whether this novel professional in the Dutch health care system functions as a linchpin in networks that evolve around lifestyle-related health problems. The aim of the present study is to investigate the formation and development of networks of lifestyle coaches and their positions within these networks. In this longitudinal study, key professionals and professionals within relevant organisations in the Coaching on Lifestyle (CooL) care networks were asked to fill in three online questionnaires. Respondents were asked to indicate whether they collaborated with each of the specified professionals in the context of CooL. The overall network structures and the central role of the lifestyle coaches were examined by using network analysis. The results showed that the networks in three out of four regions were relatively centralised, but that none of the networks were dense, and that the professionals seemed to collaborate less with others over time. Half of the lifestyle coaches had a high number of collaborations and a central position within their networks, which also increased over time. In half of the regions, the lifestyle coaches had increased their role as consultants, while their role as gatekeeper and liaison decreased over time. In most regions, the sector of lifestyle coaches had a central position in their networks in just one measurement. Other central sectors were the local sports organisation, public health services, youth health care and the municipal government. Overall, we cannot conclude that more central and denser networks were formed during the study period. In addition, the lifestyle coaches were not often positioned as a central sector within these networks. Entrepreneurial, network and brokering competences are required for lifestyle coaches to build up denser networks. NTR6208 ; date registered: 13-01-2017; retrospectively registered; Netherlands Trial Register.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Overweight and obesity are problems that are increasing globally in both children as well as adults, and may be prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Lifestyle coaches counsel overweight and obese children (and their parents) as well as adults in initiating and maintaining healthier lifestyle behaviours. It is currently unclear whether this novel professional in the Dutch health care system functions as a linchpin in networks that evolve around lifestyle-related health problems. The aim of the present study is to investigate the formation and development of networks of lifestyle coaches and their positions within these networks.
METHODS
METHODS
In this longitudinal study, key professionals and professionals within relevant organisations in the Coaching on Lifestyle (CooL) care networks were asked to fill in three online questionnaires. Respondents were asked to indicate whether they collaborated with each of the specified professionals in the context of CooL. The overall network structures and the central role of the lifestyle coaches were examined by using network analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The results showed that the networks in three out of four regions were relatively centralised, but that none of the networks were dense, and that the professionals seemed to collaborate less with others over time. Half of the lifestyle coaches had a high number of collaborations and a central position within their networks, which also increased over time. In half of the regions, the lifestyle coaches had increased their role as consultants, while their role as gatekeeper and liaison decreased over time. In most regions, the sector of lifestyle coaches had a central position in their networks in just one measurement. Other central sectors were the local sports organisation, public health services, youth health care and the municipal government.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, we cannot conclude that more central and denser networks were formed during the study period. In addition, the lifestyle coaches were not often positioned as a central sector within these networks. Entrepreneurial, network and brokering competences are required for lifestyle coaches to build up denser networks.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
BACKGROUND
NTR6208 ; date registered: 13-01-2017; retrospectively registered; Netherlands Trial Register.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33740982
doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06252-3
pii: 10.1186/s12913-021-06252-3
pmc: PMC7980338
doi:
Types de publication
Clinical Study
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
247Subventions
Organisme : CZ health insurance company
ID : 20140052
Références
N Engl J Med. 2017 Jul 6;377(1):13-27
pubmed: 28604169
J Public Health Res. 2018 Oct 04;7(2):1369
pubmed: 30581806
BMC Fam Pract. 2012 May 16;13:37
pubmed: 22591134
BMC Health Serv Res. 2013 Apr 30;13:158
pubmed: 23631517
Milbank Q. 2004;82(4):581-629
pubmed: 15595944
J Health Serv Res Policy. 2012 Oct;17(4):219-26
pubmed: 23038708
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Apr 04;15(4):
pubmed: 29617337
BMC Public Health. 2018 Jan 8;18(1):117
pubmed: 29310640
Prev Med. 2015 Dec;81:460-78
pubmed: 26522091
Fam Pract. 2012 Apr;29 Suppl 1:i132-i138
pubmed: 22399543
Soc Sci Med. 2010 Jul;71(2):394-399
pubmed: 20488603
Fam Pract. 2012 Apr;29 Suppl 1:i153-i156
pubmed: 22399546
BMJ Qual Saf. 2012 Mar;21(3):239-49
pubmed: 22129933
BMC Health Serv Res. 2019 Sep 14;19(1):667
pubmed: 31521160