In this webinar, IOC Harnisch Grant recipients Alyssa McGonagle, Heidi Duskey and Les Schwab present results and discuss implications of their research demonstrating the effectiveness of a six-session coaching intervention for physicians. The investigators conducted a randomized controlled trial for Primary Care Physicians (PCP) using a positive psychology-based toolkit. Outcome measures relating to improved professional well-being and reduced stress and burnout were assessed pre-intervention and for a period of six months post-coaching.  

Physician burnout has been prevalent in US healthcare for years and current stresses from the pandemic have added to this burden. A paucity of research has examined coaching's effectiveness in medicine even though it has been shown to be effective in many other professional domains. This study helps to fill a gap in the evidence-based literature.

Key findings shared with webinar participants include:

• How the coaching intervention reduced PCP burnout while improving work engagement, psychological capital, and job satisfaction.
• What brought about positive change in outcomes for four measures and how they were sustained.
• How a variety of applications, including personal resilience practices, work redesign, teamwork and advocacy, had positive impact on PCP’s and their organizations.

The webinar included a lively, interactive discussion of how these results have important implications for both ongoing and newly emerging challenges for physicians. As the healthcare system emerges and reorganizes in the pandemic era, coaching can offer physicians a vital means of support.