Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

Kim Downey, PT
Conditions
May 28, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

Upon reading numerous articles referencing physician coaching, most have been written by physicians who were transformed by coaching and then became coaches themselves. (Thank you.  Your work is so needed in this area!) At least once or twice, I’ve seen coaching referenced in a derogatory manner or deemed unnecessary. In those instances, the premise was that “the system” is the problem and coaching is not the answer. In reality, this is not a simple problem to fix, and the answer is not either/or. Yes, serious issues with our health care system need to be fixed, resulting in excessive demands and burdens on physicians and other health care workers. And coaching can be an incredibly beneficial tool to help us examine the challenges we face in our professional and personal life.

Your thoughts drive your feelings. A good coach helps you analyze how your thoughts contribute to your suffering. When you change your thoughts, you can change your life.

That is excellent news if you are generally satisfied with all areas of your life! If not, I can attest to a great coach’s powerful impact on your life. I was not looking to receive coaching. Coaching found me. If I had been looking, I very likely would have selected a coach who “looked like me.” A late-career female physical therapist. To my surprise, my coach, who appeared when I needed him the most, is a younger, mid-career male physician. Personality compatibility is more important than merely matching personal demographics.

I recently sent him a handwritten note as we completed a dozen coaching sessions together. It included some qualities one should look for in a talented coach; I am so lucky. Parting advice: Don’t knock it till you try it!

By way of thanking you, I came up with a “Top 10” list of reasons why I think you are a great coach:

1. I can trust you. To me, that is the foundation of a good coaching relationship.

2. You demonstrate empathy and cultivate an authentic relationship, showing that you care about me as a person.

3. You are truly present during our sessions, giving me your full attention and incorporating active listening and thoughtful feedback.

4. You are honest. Sharing with me when my writing (or thoughts!) can use some additional work to serve me better helps me know that I can trust you and that your feedback is genuine and true.

5. You know just the right questions to ask. Sometimes your questions make me uncomfortable, though you also make it safe to feel vulnerable.

6. You are enthusiastic and have a good sense of humor. I look forward to our sessions; you are fun to talk to!

7. Your session takeaways are always on point and incredibly helpful. Sometimes it takes me a while to fully process them, which makes me appreciate them even more, as you can see things that I still need to mull over to grasp fully.

8. You keep learning yourself and continuing your own professional development. You don’t act like you know everything, making you very approachable.

ADVERTISEMENT

9. You provide great supplementary materials. Your online course modules are excellent, full of essential concepts and explanations.

10. You are a really nice guy with such a great smile!

I guess it’s not random that we met; it’s how it was supposed to be. I don’t think I have the words to fully express my gratitude for how you have helped me over the past few months. I’ll say thank you from the bottom of my heart, hoping you can fully appreciate the sentiment behind it.

Looking forward to our session next month!

Thank you, Dr. Michael Hersh.

Kim Downey is a physical therapist.

Prev

Why doctors aren't to blame for the U.S. opioid crisis [PODCAST]

May 27, 2023 Kevin 2
…
Next

The surprising medical mystery of a "good" Hitler: How a rescued kitten revealed a rare movement disorder

May 28, 2023 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Primary Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why doctors aren't to blame for the U.S. opioid crisis [PODCAST]
Next Post >
The surprising medical mystery of a "good" Hitler: How a rescued kitten revealed a rare movement disorder

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Kim Downey, PT

  • True stories of doctors reclaiming their humanity in a system that challenges it

    Alae Kawam, DO & Kim Downey, PT & Nicole Solomos, DO
  • Health workers deserve care too: How to protect their mental health

    Corey Feist, JD, MBA & Kim Downey, PT
  • Love, empathy, and the triangle of exhaustion: Why humanity must come first

    Kim Downey, PT & Nicole Perrotte, MD

Related Posts

  • The risk physicians take when going on social media

    Anonymous
  • When physicians are cyberbullied: an interview with ZDoggMD

    Monique Tello, MD
  • Surprising and unlikely rewards of social media engagement by physicians

    Lisa Chan, MD
  • Physicians who don’t play the social media game may be left behind

    Xrayvsn, MD
  • How the changing roles of hospitals are isolating physicians

    Robert Pearl, MD
  • The power of advocacy: How doctors can be empowered physicians

    Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, MD

More in Conditions

  • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

    George F. Smith, MD
  • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

    Sarah White, APRN
  • Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers

    Maire Daugharty, MD
  • Addressing menstrual health inequities in adolescents

    Callia Georgoulis
  • Healing beyond the surface: Why proper chronic wound care matters

    Alvin May, MD
  • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers

      Maire Daugharty, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
    • FDA delays could end vital treatment for rare disease patients

      GJ van Londen, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

      George F. Smith, MD | Conditions
    • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why starting with why can transform your medical practice

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • Why your most heroic act might be in a department meeting [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Life’s detours may be blessings in disguise

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers

      Maire Daugharty, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
    • FDA delays could end vital treatment for rare disease patients

      GJ van Londen, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

      George F. Smith, MD | Conditions
    • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why starting with why can transform your medical practice

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • Why your most heroic act might be in a department meeting [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Life’s detours may be blessings in disguise

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...