Who Needs a Coach?

If the idea of a coach for physicians seems new or not common place, it may be useful to think of coaching in other contexts.  Coaching in the setting of sports is certainly familiar and can be helpful in understanding the role of a coach for physicians.  At every level of participation in sports, there is a coach of some type.  Little league baseball, Olympic fencing, NBA finals, all have coaches, although the role of the coach in each of these sports has different functions, not all of which apply to what is considered to be the way coaching is utilized in physician coaching.  Consider that in youth sports, youngsters are learning skills, team play, rules of the game and the coach is typically who is providing this instruction.  This type of instruction falls under the rubric of training and although vital for new initiates, is not an applicable metaphor for physician coaching as we want to think of it.  As a medical student, intern, resident or fellow, training is the primary focus although among these groups, physician coaching techniques can still be valuable aspects of their programs.  In sports, as players progress in their skills, coaches give feedback about their performance so there is a refinement of the skills and abilities already acquired.  Although this type of coaching is not usually what is meant by physician coaching, it might still be useful for physicians in some contexts.  A surgeon recently told me he would like to have someone in the OR watching him to give feedback about what techniques could be improved or made more efficient.  As for the sporting metaphor however, physician coaching might be best compared to what coaches do at the highest level of professional sports.  Kobe Bryant did not need Phil Jackson to tell him how to shoot a basketball.  Bart Starr’s relationship with Vince Lombardi was not about how to throw a pass. Sparky Anderson did not have to tell Johnny Bench how to knock it out of the park.  Rather, players benefitted for their coaches understanding about their sport, and ability to bring out the best in the player, craft effective strategies against opponents, plan practice schedules, coordinate team play, and balance professional and personal life.  At this level of sport, the relationship between coach and player is often the most important aspect of achieving success.  Physician coaching is about a relationship between coach and physician in which there are conversations with goals of achieving specific outcomes related to a wide range of the needs of physicians.  This can include values clarification, prioritizing career paths, developing communication strategies with members of the health care team, and exploring topics specific to the individual physician.  In this respect, it seems every physician can benefit from a physician coach.  If this sports analogy has stimulated your curiosity, contact me and let’s discuss your opportunities further.