The results of this review indicated that health
coaching is revealed through the presence of seven attributes: goal-oriented, client-centered, partnership,
health-focused, process, enlightening, and empowering.
Each of these attributes can be further defined to
confirm situations in which health coaching occurs, as
well as to support meaningful testing of the concept
(see Figure 1). The goal-oriented attribute can be
observed in health coaching through the presence
of goals. In addition, when health coaching occurs,
the goals should be addressed. The client-centered
attribute can be observed as individualization in
health coaching, as well as through client determination
of topics and decisions. The presence of a healthrelated
purpose and content when health coaching
is manifested provides an empirical referent for the
health-focused attribute. Partnership can be observed
as active participation by both the client and health
coach through dialogue and planning. Process is indicated
through recurring meetings and client action
toward goals. Enlightening is observed through health education, reflective inquiry, and client identification
of barriers and strategies. In addition, a self-awareness
scale could be used to measure this attribute. Similarly,
an empowerment scale could be used to measure the
presence of the final attribute. Empowering can also
be observed through support and encouragement
from coach to client when health coaching manifests.