Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42518576›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2026

Workplace health coaching for chronic disease management in a maritime industry workforce: a mixed-methods evaluation.

Dhiya Mahirah, Lynette Teo, Mary Su-Lynn Chew, Clement Zhong-Hao Ho, Sing Ai Lee, Jane Lim

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Dhiya MahirahCentre for Population Health Research and Implementation, Regional Health System, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd., Singapore, Singapore.
Lynette TeoBridgepoint Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Mary Su-Lynn ChewCentre for Population Health Research and Implementation, Regional Health System, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd., Singapore, Singapore.
Clement Zhong-Hao HoCentre for Population Health Research and Implementation, Regional Health System, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd., Singapore, Singapore.
Sing Ai LeeBridgepoint Health, Singapore, Singapore.
Jane LimHealth Services Research, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Workplace health coaching offers a promising approach to support behavior change and manage chronic diseases among working adults. This study evaluates the acceptability and preliminary outcomes of a pilot digitally supported health coaching program implemented in a maritime industry workforce in Singapore. Methods: A pragmatic mixed-methods program evaluation was conducted to examine both clinical outcomes and participant experiences. Quantitative data were collected at baseline and 6 months from 32 participants and included body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profile, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the SF-12. Open-ended survey responses explored participants' motivation, engagement, and perceptions of program components. Quantitative data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, while participants' qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants had a median age of 55 years (IQR: 44-61), and 89.1% were male, with representation across port operations, engineering, and administrative roles. Statistically significant improvements were observed in BMI, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol. Mental health-related quality of life improved, while HbA1c showed a small but statistically significant increase. Participants highlighted the motivational support structure, personalized guidance and encouragement from health coaches as key facilitators of engagement. Barriers included time constraints, digital fatigue, and usability issues. Participants reported adopting healthier routines and increased self-awareness, but noted difficulties maintaining those changes after the program ended. Conclusion: Findings suggest the feasibility and potential value of workplace health coaching in supporting employee well-being and chronic disease self-management. The results underscore the role of personalized and relational coaching approaches, and the importance of user-friendly digital tools and sustained support to maintain behavior change in workplace settings.

Indexed as

Disease ManagementHealth PromotionMentoringOccupational HealthOccupational Health ServicesWorkplaceAdultChronic DiseaseDigital HealthFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProgram EvaluationQuality of LifeSingaporechronic diseasehealth coachinghealth promotionoccupational health servicesprogram evaluationSingapore

Identifiers

PMID42518576
PMCPMC13381834

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.