“It’s no secret that traditional methods of patient education are hopelessly ineffective.”

— Susan Edgman Levitan Executive Director – John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation Massachusetts General Hospital Associate in Health Policy at Harvard Medical School

Overview

NIWH Whole Health programs provides an evidence-based, scientific education which blends natural health practices and holistic health principals, delivered in an integrated teaching format. This approach combines the most current medical research and science with the wisdom of ancient spiritual teachings and current holistic healing principals.

Our curriculums also provide the learner with a relationship-centered, shared-decision-making model which invites each individual to become the center of their own disease prevention and health decision making. This whole person, whole health approach to health care is now the national health care mandate.

Both the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have identified the following key guidelines for the practice of health care in all settings, which are essential components of the Whole Health Education and Whole Person Heath Care™ models developed by the National Institute of Whole Health:

• placing patients at the center of their health care decision making
• treating the patient as a whole person
• evidenced-based patient health education for prevention and disease management

Established in 1977, NIWH is the pioneer of Whole Health Education ® and Behavioral Engagement ™, the first patient education and health coaching model developed and utilized in clinical settings. Currently, the Whole Health approach to patient care and disease prevention is the fastest growing area in medicine today. NIWH offers four evidence-based Whole Health curriculums which share the same 24 core courses. In additition, Certificate of Study programs are available for non-professionals. NIWH offers three (3) Whole Health certificate programs open to all who wish to obtain the knowledge and tools to prevent disease and live a healthy lifestyle. See * for Certificate of Study courses.

The Core Courses

• Inflammation and Disease * The body's response to chronic chemical stress is inflammation. This inflammatory response, over time, results in various chronic and life threatening pathologies and disease states. This course examines the causes of inflammation, its prevalence in disease states and how to prevent or reverse this condition.
• Mindful Listening Critical to the health care professional is the ability to mindfully dialog with their clients. Mindful listening and mindful speech are skills which we can develop through awareness and practice. This important course explores how we can improve our communications in all our relationships.
• Physics & Philosophy Part I & II The study of Physics and Philosophy allows us to develop our own personal philosophy and better understand the viewpoints of others. The works of Einstein, Newton, Buddha, Maslow, as well as the Torah, Koran and other classic teachings, demonstrate how our philosophy, world view and beliefs influence our choices and their resulting outcomes. This knowledge will offer greater insight into the views and values of others.
• Brain Function and Nutrition * Understanding brain function is one of the most urgent issues facing health care professionals today to enable them to assist their patients with the cascade of neurological brain disorders being experienced in the US. These disorders include ADD, ADHA, autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, senility, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and a host of others. This course provides the cutting edge nutrition science being used to address these conditions.
• Digestive Function and Nutrition * To possess an authentic understanding of human nutrition the role of digestion, absorption and assimilation, and how they relate to health and disease state, is critical. This course explores from an integrative whole picture perspective the structure and function of the digestive system and how it affects human nutrition.
• Metabolic Syndrome * Metabolic Syndrome is a complex of hormonal and metabolic responses which lead to obesity, high blood pressure, increased risk for heart disease, type II diabetes and other syndromes. This course examines the mechanisms of metabolic syndrome and offers solutions for reversing and preventing this epidemic pathology.
• Adrenal Function and Stress* The ability to adapt to change in the external and internal environments is the hallmark of human survival. This course presents the hows and whys of adaptation and provides an in-depth understand of adrenal function, its relationship to stress and immune function as well as the nutritional research from Hans Selye, M.D., PhD, which explains the body's increased nutritional needs when under stress.
• Psychology of Stress This course identifies the nature of stress, the body's response to stress in both acute and chronic stages and what specific physiological changes take place as a result of stress adaptation. This information can facilitate an individuals understanding of how to avoid chronic stress and maintain wellness. Discussion topics include: the mind-immune link, principles of psychological conditioning and stress reduction techniques.
• Obesity: Hidden Factors * This presentation looks beyond the problems of over eating and the lack of exercise as causes to obesity and examines the hidden causes contributing to the escalating rates of obesity seen today in the U.S. and around the globe. Nutritional as well as environmental factors are discussed. Statistics as well as information on how to reverse this disturbing trend is presented.
• The Immune System * This course describes the complexity of the immune system through a whole health perspective. This course also explores the role of vitamins, minerals and herbs in relationship to the immune system; the action of the thymus gland and spleen, as well as the role of exercise and diet in a healthy immune system. A clear, integrated understanding of immune function is valuable to enhancing health coaching outcomes.
• Nutrition: Food Biochemistry This foundational course in food bio-chemistry, cell function and the role of vitamins and minerals is the basis of understanding nutrition science. This course provides a foundation for understanding "the big picture" of human nutrition. Discusses: chlorophyll, photosynthesis; fertile soil; vitamin function, mineral function, the function and importance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Designed to provide the learner with an authentic understanding of how human nutrition works on a cellular level.
• Cultural Diversity This course examines important areas of cultural differences, especially how they relate to and affect the delivery of health care for both the patient and the practitioners. Issues of how time is perceived, how grief is expressed, food, how religion affects culture, and much more is explored. This course is presented by two health care professionals, a physician and health educator, who are from “third world” cultures.
• Muscles and Bones* The goal of this course is to provide the learner with an integrated understanding of the physiology and function of muscles and bones. This understand will enhance your ability to educate and coach clients with musculo-skeletal conditions. The course offers a unique opportunity to explore beyond the anatomy of the skeletal system and understand the inter-relationships of the musculo-skeletal system with all body systems. The effects of environment on bones and muscles will also be discussed.
• Introduction to Exercise Physiology I*, II and III Prepared with an understanding of exercise physiology, a chronically ill patient can enhance their quality of life. How the body reacts to acute as well as chronic stress is correlated with activities and corresponding exercises. The course presents principles of exercise physiology and application in patient recovery, along with the ways fitness induced changes allow for improved function of all body systems.
• Brain Function and Behavior * This course provides an integrated overview of mind / body physiology and its influence on human behavior. It discusses brain function and the biochemistry of thoughts and emotion, as well as the body’s chemicals and structures which create unique behaviors. Theories and research into the neuro- behavioral sciences are also be discussed. This information will enhance health coaching tools and knowledge.
• Nutrition Research * This presentation provides current research studies from around the world which demonstrate important information and data on the three major causes of death in the U.S. and around the world. Heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes data and research provide insights and clues into the prevention and nutritional treatment of these life threatening conditions.
• Cardiac Whole Health This class provides tools to enhance health, well being and quality of life for those experiencing cardiac conditions. The impact of nutrition, emotions, the environment and spirituality on cardiac function and/or disease will be examined. The genesis of arteriosclerosis and the role of psychological states on cardiac function will be highlighted. This knowledge will allow greater insight into the development of wellness strategies for individuals with heart disease.
• Whole Person Nutrition Parts I & II * Although there is a basic nutritional requirement for all human beings, nutrition practices and approaches vary greatly according to culture, geography, genetics, gender, religion, environment, age and many other factors which need to be considered when establishing a realistic perspective on nutrition. This course presents approaches, practices and research from a more global viewpoint. It also presents the nutritional research from Hans Selye, M.D., PhD, the "father of stress management," which explains increased nutritional needs for the body under stress.
• Living with Illness * For the individual experiencing illness, it is more than a diagnosis. Their illness is a life altering event that can be used for transforming their way of thinking, feeling and being. This course explores the experience of living with a chronic or life threatening illness and the opportunities it can provide for personal and spiritual growth.
• Functional Medicine * Functional medicine is a new paradigm for the practice of medicine. Grounded in a cause and effect model of problem solving health care, functional medicine explores health and wellness from a whole person, whole health perspective. The practice of functional medicine affirms the importance of approaching health care from a Whole Health Education model which educates the individual on the cause and effect of their disease state and what they can do to regain or maintain their health and wellness.

While all Whole Health programs share the 24 CORE courses, each NIWH Whole Health program has its own unique Externship, Practicum and Final Project component and includes additional on-line courses specific to its specialty. The four (4) Whole Health curriculums offered are:

1. Whole Health Educator™ program – with wellness coaching courses for allied health professionals and qualified entry level candidates
2. Whole Health Educator™ for Nurses – with health coaching skills and patient health education for nurse professionals
3. Whole Health Nutrition Educator™ program is open only to degreed or licensed nutrition, nursing, culinary or clinically trained professionals who can utilize nutrition education in their current profession
4. Whole Health Coaching™ skills and competencies; includes health science and health education courses for clinically trained health and medical professionals
   

All four (4) Whole Health curriculums are designed as 10-12 month  programs. The programs have two components. The first part is comprised of the 24 Core courses, which are intended to be completed at a rate of one per week, over a 24 week period . Each course takes approximately 8 hours per week to complete. A final proctored exam is required at the completion of the 24 Core courses.

The second component is the experiential portion of the program. A three case study Practicum and a Final Paper Project are required for completion and certification. Each Core course provides a minimum of eight (8) continuing education contact hours. Several courses provide 10-12 contact hours due to the additional required reading for that particular course.

Certificates for continuing education contact hours are provided after successful completion and submission of both the course assignment form and the course evaluation form to the student's Academic Adviser. The student's Academic Adviser provides feedback for each course submission, as well as sends the student an individual continuing education certificate for each course submitted.

In  the event that a the student requires addition time to complete their studies, they may make arrangements for an extension through the Student Services department. A student may take a leave of absence or receive up to a maximum of up to six (6) additional months to complete their program. The Case Study portion of the Externship is identified as a 50 hour component and the Final Paper project is identified as a 50 hour component, as well.  The total clock hours for the programs is 350 hours.

Whole Health Certificates of Study for Non-Professionals

NIWH also offers entry-level programs for non-professionals seeking to learn more about integrative nutrition and holistic health to better their lifestyle and the lives of those they love.  These programs include:

• Whole Health Science Certificate of Study - Provides 12 whole health courses. Open to all who wish to have the knowledge and tools to prevent disease and live a long and healthy lifestyle. Student has up to six (6) month to complete the courses.
• Whole Health and Wellness Nutrition Certificate of Study - Provides 20 whole health and nutrition courses. Open to all who wish to have the nutritional knowledge and tools to prevent disease and live a long and healthy lifestyle. 
• Whole Health and Wellness Coaching Certificate of Study - Provides 26 health science and coaching skills courses. Optional health coaching practicum with a master certified coach mentor available. No proctored exam requirements; no Final Paper project required. Graduate is not enrolled in the health insurance networks, nor eligible to receive the NIWH health insurance billing manual. Student has up to twelve (12) months to complete the courses.