The Potential of Human Positive Health Coaching Through a Digital Health Platform to Prompt Reflection and Engagement in Behaviour Change

Abstract

This paper illustrates how human-led positive health coaching using a digital platform provides opportunities for building a relationship with participants and prompting reflection in action. We present evidence that draws on examples from RCSI Coach Connect to illustrate the potential of digital health interventions to create momentum for positive change in participants’ lives. Text based coaching conversations were analysed using thematic analysis. Results describe examples of the potential for change in the context of the partnership principles for dialogical coaching, namely, Equality, Choice, Voice, Dialogue, Reflection, Praxis and Reciprocity. Based on these results, we outline implications for practice and future research.

Keywords

• positive health coaching
• partnership principles
• digital health interventions
• wellbeing