Health Coaching Strategy to Improve Glycemic Control in African- American Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrative Review.

Abstract

Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk-reduction strategies for appropriate glycemic control. Type 2 diabetes remains a global epidemic secondary to increases in physical inactivity and obesity. While many populations are at risk, African-Americans bear a disproportionate burden from diabetes and its complications. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is essential to successful diabetes treatment and complication prevention. However, diabetes management requires daily patient involvement and skills. Health coaching has been very effective in assisting patients with self-care management. There is increasing evidence of the effectiveness of health coaching in terms of patient self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, behavioral changes, health service utilization, and health outcomes. Using an integrative review of the literature, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of health coaching as a strategy to improve glycemic control among African-American adults with type 2 diabetes. Health coaching was found to be an effective strategy in addressing poor glycemic control in African-American adults with type 2 diabetes. This integrative review articulates gaps in healthcare disparities, while capitalizing on an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to making a positive impact on the current global diabetes epidemic.