Provide an example of an open-ended question used in health coaching.

• A. "What changes would you like to make to support your health this month?"
• B. "Would you quit smoking today?"
• C. "Does your doctor want you to exercise?"
• D. "Is your health going well?"

Answer: (A)

Open-ended questions invite reflection, exploration, and personal input rather than yes/no answers, which helps clients set meaningful, actionable goals in health coaching. The example asks what changes the client would like to make this month, inviting them to articulate specific steps, priorities, and a timeframe. This keeps the client at the center and supports collaborative planning and motivation.

The other options are more closed or directive: a question about quitting smoking today tends to elicit a yes/no response and doesn’t explore readiness or barriers; asking whether the doctor wants the client to exercise shifts authority away from the client and can feel prescriptive; and a vague yes/no check-in about whether health is going well doesn’t invite detailed reflection or goal setting.