What is Coaching for Healthcare Professionals?

The concept of clinician wellness in the healthcare industry has historically not received the attention it deserves.  Wellness not only refers to the physical, but also emotional well-being of the individual.  Specifically, issues of burnout and job satisfaction have become very prevalent  in medicine, and are now reaching epidemic proportions throughout the country.  These issues have often been regarded as problems with the clinician’s attitude or coping mechanism, and very often these individuals are referred for anger management or resiliency training.  In fact, there often is nothing wrong with the provider, but rather the environment they find themselves in.  

This is where coaching comes in;  effective coaching can often help the clinician achieve the goals they dream of.  Unlike therapy or counseling, coaching is predicated on the concept that the coachee is resourceful, creative, and whole;  coach and coachee work collaboratively to find ways to achieve professional fulfillment.  The focus is on the future, and moving forward toward the ideal.  A great analogy  of the coach/coachee relationship is that of personal fitness trainer/client.  The personal trainer assists his client to optimize his fitness level;  similarly the coach helps the coachee optimize his professional life.

Is coaching of healthcare professionals effective?  A recent multi-center study involving 88 physicians showed significant improvement in well-recognized symptoms of burnout, suggesting that coaching is an important modality for sustained clinician wellness. (JAMA 10/2019) 

Most healthcare organizations have yet to offer this service; SJW Professional Coaching Services can provide additional information and resources.