Coaching is useful for doctors because doctors are highly intelligent people, self-motivated and self-sufficient’ However when they consider talking about a challenge in their life with someone, they very often think it shows a sign of weakness. But if they feel stuck in a rut and, even when they know precisely what they need to do, seem to be unable to take the action they must to get the result they want, then they may wonder whether life coaching might be helpful.
A doctor might be feeling apprehensive about approaching a life coach and may take a while to make up his or her mind to make contact with one.
The issues which may be causing some worry could be in relation to medical career progression or even about wondering whether to leave medicine entirely, especially when there are conflicts with personal relationships and family pressures. These clashes of interest and pressures might be, for example, about getting on further in the profession or about neglecting family commitments.
Coaching can be very useful in these circumstances for the following reasons:
It involves you gaining clarity about your situation.
You will be explaining the details of your situation to the coach, who you may never meet face to face, yet trust him or her with your thoughts and feelings. When you talk about what’s happening the process itself will help you understand yourself better to find your own best solution.
Coaching enables you to find the best solution to your challenge or problem. Since it is not prescriptive you can discover within yourself options for progress you may not have thought of previously.
The coach encourages you to do what you want to do and discover for yourself if it is the right way forward for you. It doesn’t carry with it the judgmental attitude that friends or family may bring when you try to find a solution with them.
Unlike long term counselling or therapy, coaching is forward looking and is effective very quickly. You will find you have the energy and motivation to change things and make a difference within a few sessions.
Most coaches offer the chance for a discussion before you commit to working with them so you have the chance to get a sense of whether you could work together and if coaching would be useful.
Coaching happens on the telephone so a busy doctor won’t have to travel to their appointment. It may seem strange not to meet the coach face to face. However part of the effectiveness is the absence of distraction of physical appearance or body language.
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Drs certainly benefit from coaching but may benefit more from they same help called something else!
The reality is that such support tends to run against the grain in terms of their expectations of autonomy incumbent upon us.
It may indeed be analogous to think about how bad patients most doctors are!
Gd w clive