The Human Touch vs. Bot-Driven Approaches to Health Coaching

In the age of technology, our lives are increasingly intertwined with artificial intelligence, especially when it comes to health and wellness. Human health coaching is increasingly being replaced by bot-driven coaching – we see this in apps like Noom and Omada Health. It’s important to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both options to determine which is best for your workforce. In this blog, we'll explore the key differences between bot-driven vs human coaching when it comes to nutrition.

Bot-Driven:

Bot’s ability for simplicity:

Bot-driven health coaching can KISS–keep it simple stupid. They are able to provide very direct and informative feedback and analysis. One study found that, “Interestingly, self-reported goal attainment over the study period was higher in the Chatbot group (over 80%) than the Human Coaching group (less than 50%). These results support the potential of even relatively simple automated approaches to cultivate a coach-like experience to support self-management.” But do they create lifelong goal achievement, or just short-term success?

Understanding of Circumstances:

While bots may initially encounter challenges in fully grasping the intricacies of situations, such as someone on vacation making food choices, they demonstrate a commitment to improve their understanding. As technology evolves, bots can be programmed to recognize the value of balance and occasional indulgences in the context of real-life experiences. The rigid categorization that currently exists can be refined to incorporate a more nuanced approach, aligning with the holistic understanding that humans naturally possess. With ongoing advancements, bots have the potential to bridge the gap and offer increasingly effective and personalized nutrition advice, adapting to the complexities of individual lifestyles.

Surface-Level Analysis:

Bots efficiently process input data using well-defined algorithms, demonstrating their capacity to recognize patterns and deviations from established plans. However, there is room for improvement in understanding the nuanced reasons behind specific eating patterns. For example, a change in diet while on vacation might be interpreted as a departure from the initial plan, bots might struggle to comprehend the significance of occasional enjoyment. Human coaches, with their empathetic insight, excel at delving into the deeper motivations behind eating habits, providing a uniquely personalized and effective approach. As technology advances, bots have the potential to integrate a more holistic understanding, aligning with human-like comprehension for even more impactful assistance.

Human Coaching:

Empathy:

One of the standout features of human coaching is empathy. Coaches understand that nutrition is not just about food; it's also about emotions, stress, and personal challenges. Empathy allows coaches to connect with clients on a deeper level, providing emotional support and understanding the underlying issues affecting dietary choices.

Detailed Meal Logging and Recommendations:

Human coaches can go beyond the surface-level analysis of meal logs. They can understand the context behind each entry, considering factors like emotions, stress levels, and personal circumstances. This detailed understanding enables coaches to offer tailored recommendations that align with a client's individual needs and goals.

Accountability:

While bots can remind users to log meals or stick to a predetermined plan, human coaches bring a unique level of accountability. The interpersonal relationship creates a sense of responsibility, encouraging clients to stay committed to their nutritional goals. The human touch ensures that clients are not just following a set of rules but are grasping the deep-seated reasonings behind food choices.

Summary:

In the ever-evolving landscape of nutrition guidance, the human touch remains irreplaceable. While bot-driven approaches offer efficiency and data-driven insights, they often lack the empathy, understanding of circumstances, and ability to address the root causes that human coaching provides. That doesn’t mean that it is obsolete; there is a lot both humans and bots can learn from each other's successes and improve their processes. HealthFleet uses superior technology to support its RestoreHealth coaches. Dedicated health coaches can then efficiently address employee concerns, goals, habits and more for lifelong health. Interested in launching RestoreHealth at your organization? Contact us today.