Center for Healthy Living Profile: Jodi Briggs
March 21, 2013
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Jodi Briggs, RN health coach at
the Center for Healthy Living. (Rodney McPhail/HR Communications)
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Today's entry in the continuing series to introduce staff who work at Purdue's new Center for Healthy Living features Jodi Briggs, one of four RN health coaches at the center.
Why did you choose a career as an RN health coach?
Being an RN health coach is a great career. It allows you to spend time with the patients, get to know their goals and help them develop their health or wellness vision.
When you talk of helping a patient develop a wellness vision, what does that mean?
A wellness vision is a personal statement that sets out what you want to achieve or describes a vision of who you will be once you have made the healthy changes you want in your life. For example, let's say your son is getting married this year, and you are seeing a health coach for weight management and physical activity. Your wellness vision might be "I picture myself at my son's wedding 30 pounds lighter, feeling great about myself and having much more energy."
Your health coach will help you develop "SMART" goals that are Specific, Measureable, Action-Based, Realistic and Timely to help you work toward your vision.
When or for what conditions would people talk with you?
There are several reasons a patient may want to see a health coach, including counseling in nutrition, health maintenance, physical activity, stress management or weight management. We can also help manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, vascular disease and many others.
What can people expect during a visit with you?
When meeting with a health coach, the person can expect it to be a comfortable, supportive environment that respects the patient's privacy. During the first appointment, the patient will complete the intake process, where a history, including health information and demographics, is gathered and entered into the computer system.
Then we would develop a wellness vision and determine what motivators or inspiration the person may have. We'd discuss the person's short-term and long-term goals, as well as obstacles or challenges the person may be encountering in reaching their goals.
Your health coach will also use some activities and modules to provide an opportunity for learning and education. The patient can also ask questions about the particular topic, for example, diabetes or high blood pressure.
What do you enjoy in your time away from the job?
I enjoy just spending time with my family, walking, and playing and listening to music.
