The results of this review contribute to the (re-)design of an effective model for patient coaching, a profile and training approach of patient coaches. Future research should aim at determining which patients will benefit most from coaching interventions.

ObjectiveTo characterize patients interested in support by a patient coach to guide them in medical specialist consultations. Methods We compared 76 patients interested in a patient coach with 381 patients without such an interest, using a representative panel of patients with a chronic disease in the Netherlands. Independent variables were demographic factors, socio-economic status, perceived efficacy in patient-provider interaction, communication barriers, health literacy, (duration and type of) disease(s) and activation level. ResultsIn univariate analyses, patients who are interested in a coach were significantly older, had lower health literacy skills and less self-efficacy and, overall, experienced more communication barriers (>4), than patients without such interest (1-2 barriers). Multivariate analyses indicated three communications barriers as determinants of patient interest in a coach: feeling tense, uncertainty about own understanding, and believing that a certain topic is not part of a healthcare providers' task. ConclusionPatients interested in a coach perceive specific barriers in communicating with their medical specialist. In addition, patients who are > = 65 years, have lower health literacy and low self-efficacy may have interest in a coach. Practice implications Characterizing patients interested in a patient coach facilitates identification of those who could benefit from such a coach in clinical practice.