Training Options for Organizations

Health Change Associates (HCA) conducts health coaching workshops in-house at organizations. HCA provides structured professional pathways and organization capacity building options in health change using health coaching for health professionals.

Outline of HCA Core Training

Click here to view diagrams of the core training pathways for clinicians and managers.

Introductory training in the HCA Model involves two parts, ideally spaced 3-6 months apart to allow time for the tools and techniques to be implemented into the workplace.

• HCA Core Training Part 1: The HCA Model of Health Change (2-day workshop) provides information about the HCA Model of Health Change and the techniques and processes required for clinicians to increase patient or client adherence to treatment and lifestyle recommendations.
  
  The training provides a stepped checklist of processes to consider, and optional tools and techniques to use when a patient or client is blocked from engaging in, or maintaining behavior change. It pays particular attention to dealing with patients or clients who are low in readiness to change, whilst also reviewing techniques to use once a decision has been made to work on a particular health issue.  It can be applied to any individual or group setting where the client is required to make behavior changes for better health outcomes. 
• HCA Core Training Part 2: Applying the HCA Model of Health Change (1-day workshop) builds on Part 1 by assisting clinicians to adapt the full model to their particular role and clinical practice. It review and practices the most critical processes to apply, particularly when patients or clients are low in readiness to make changes. The training format allows participants to clarify principles, processes and techniques, and to discuss their progress in using the HCA Model.  It provides participants with the opportunity to tailor the training content to their own needs and to work through common challenges.

Two formats are available for receiving HCA Model core training. Face-to-face workshops are offered in Australia and a distance learning option combining telephone and web-based training is available worldwide (please note, this training is customized, please contact HCA to discuss your requirements).

• HCA Core Training for Managers

It is critical for organizations looking to train staff members in health coaching that managers have an understanding of the HCA Model and are able to align organizational systems with this approach.

Management input is usually required to support staff in implementing self-management behavior change strategies because in addition to learning new skills, health coaching often represents a change in the way that clinicians practice.  It also often requires subsequent changes to paperwork and/or other data collection systems, reflection on key performance indicators, and allocation of time and human resources to skills development and systems integration.

The HCA Managers' module ('Implementing the HCA Model in Clinical Practice & Programs') presents an overview of the HCA Model, the rationale for using the model within community and other health agencies, and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing health coaching into disease prevention programs, chronic condition self-management programs and usual clinical practice.  Managers are invited to raise issues and concerns for discussion with their peers.

• HCA Peer Leader Certification & Support Program

The Peer Leader Certification & Support Program includes active assistance to support one or a small number of key clinicians within teams/programs/organizations to grow in-house capacity and support sustainable skills development in staff that have completed at least HCA Core Training Part 1 (2-day skills training workshop).

During the initial 12 month certification period, an HCA Peer Leader is mentored and supported by HCA to:

1. Develop his/her knowledge and skills in using the HCA Model of Health Change and key documentation to a sound level of competency (by completing skills development exercises and attending monthly telephone-based Peer Leader discussions and mentoring sessions),
2. Provide skills development and program implementation support to staff within his/her organization that have attended HCA Core Training Part 1, and
3. Provide overview presentations of the HCA Model of Health Change to staff in their organization that have not attended HCA Core Training Part 1.

In addition to supporting skills development in their peers, Peer Leaders act as a direct point of access to HCA and receive and disseminate new tools and practice guides within their organization as these become available from HCA.  HCA Peer Leaders are in-house specialists in supporting the use of the HCA Model of Health Change/health coaching.

Training Delivery Modes

HCA offer the following training delivery modes for organizations wishing to train staff members:

• Face-to-face training
• Telephone/web-based training
• Peer Leader/Trainer
• Training partnership option

Please contact Health Change Associates for more information and pricing.