Balancing Act: Generative AI Tools and Scope of Practice in Health Coaching

Natalie M. Papini; Megan Meyer; Nikole D. Squires; Dawn Clifford

doi:10.1177/08901171251340383

Balancing Act: Generative AI Tools and Scope of Practice in Health Coaching

Natalie M. Papini, Megan Meyer, Nikole D. Squires, Dawn Clifford

Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Abstract

Synopsis: This article explores the effects of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in health coaching, highlighting its potential benefits and ethical challenges. While genAI tools like ChatGPT can assist health coaches in brainstorming nutrition and fitness ideas, they also risk encouraging practices outside scope of practice. We propose guidelines for health coaches to responsibly integrate genAI into their coaching practices, ensuring client safety and confidentiality while navigating the evolving landscape of technology in health and wellness.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	08901171251340383
Journal	American Journal of Health Promotion
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171251340383
State	Accepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

AI artificial intelligence
ethics
health promotion
patient-centered care
professional
professional patient relationships

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health(social science)
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Access to Document

10.1177/08901171251340383

Cite this

@article{a56f94bc7cb2468e88bfccbc8c0b702b,

title = "Balancing Act: Generative AI Tools and Scope of Practice in Health Coaching",

abstract = "Synopsis: This article explores the effects of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in health coaching, highlighting its potential benefits and ethical challenges. While genAI tools like ChatGPT can assist health coaches in brainstorming nutrition and fitness ideas, they also risk encouraging practices outside scope of practice. We propose guidelines for health coaches to responsibly integrate genAI into their coaching practices, ensuring client safety and confidentiality while navigating the evolving landscape of technology in health and wellness.",

keywords = "AI artificial intelligence, ethics, health promotion, patient-centered care, professional, professional patient relationships",

author = "Papini, {Natalie M.} and Megan Meyer and Squires, {Nikole D.} and Dawn Clifford",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1177/08901171251340383",

language = "English (US)",

journal = "American Journal of Health Promotion",

issn = "0890-1171",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Balancing Act

T2 - Generative AI Tools and Scope of Practice in Health Coaching

AU - Papini, Natalie M.

AU - Meyer, Megan

AU - Squires, Nikole D.

AU - Clifford, Dawn

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Synopsis: This article explores the effects of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in health coaching, highlighting its potential benefits and ethical challenges. While genAI tools like ChatGPT can assist health coaches in brainstorming nutrition and fitness ideas, they also risk encouraging practices outside scope of practice. We propose guidelines for health coaches to responsibly integrate genAI into their coaching practices, ensuring client safety and confidentiality while navigating the evolving landscape of technology in health and wellness.

AB - Synopsis: This article explores the effects of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) in health coaching, highlighting its potential benefits and ethical challenges. While genAI tools like ChatGPT can assist health coaches in brainstorming nutrition and fitness ideas, they also risk encouraging practices outside scope of practice. We propose guidelines for health coaches to responsibly integrate genAI into their coaching practices, ensuring client safety and confidentiality while navigating the evolving landscape of technology in health and wellness.

KW - AI artificial intelligence

KW - ethics

KW - health promotion

KW - patient-centered care

KW - professional

KW - professional patient relationships

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105005594815&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=105005594815&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/08901171251340383

DO - 10.1177/08901171251340383

M3 - Comment/debate

AN - SCOPUS:105005594815

SN - 0890-1171

JO - American Journal of Health Promotion

JF - American Journal of Health Promotion

M1 - 08901171251340383

ER -

Balancing Act: Generative AI Tools and Scope of Practice in Health Coaching

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this