This article argues that, to improve patient participation in decision-making, adherence to treatment regimes and lifestyle changes primary care must take on a new task: working with patients to ensure that they understand, agree with and participate in the management of their chronic conditions.

It outlines the role of health coaching as one way to accomplish this function.  Health coaching can be defined as helping patients gain the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence to become active participants in their care so that they can reach their self-identified health goals.