The Case for Integration of Health Coaching within Integrative Oncology - Needs, Outcomes, Models, and Standards

This review advocates for the integration of health coaching into oncology care to enhance outcomes for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and oncology services. Health coaching is a person-centred, supportive process that facilitates navigation through trauma, loss, and change while promoting holistic health, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. It also supports overcoming depression and anxiety by aiding patients in redefining life priorities for health and fulfilment post-treatment.

Systematic reviews indicate that health coaching can reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients, conditions linked with increased cancer recurrence and mortality. Consequently, health coaching holds potential not only to improve quality of life but also to influence cancer morbidity and mortality. The authors' view is that health coaching fills an important gap in oncology services, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution to improve patient outcomes across the cancer continuum. With established global standards and clear competencies, health coaching should be integrated as an essential component of oncology care services.