Elevate Physician Coaching: New Research Defines Essential Competencies
Recently published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a groundbreaking study titled “Competencies for Those Who Coach Physicians: A Modified Delphi Study” addresses the critical need for standardized competencies in physician coaching. This study, led by Angela M. Passarelli, PhD, and her team, aimed to define essential competencies to enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of coaching in healthcare settings.
The study employed a modified Delphi approach involving, polling numerous physician coaches, including Dr. Francine Gaillour, who participated in the survey to identify and refine 129 specific competencies across six key areas:
- Physician-specific coaching skills
- Understanding physician and healthcare context, culture, and career span
- Coaching theory and science
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social dynamics
- Well-being and burnout management
- Physician leadership development
The Physician Coaching Institute (PCI) team was delighted but not suprised to see how closely our curriculum aligns with the competencies outlined in the paper. From the inception of PCI, we have drawn from not only the research informing coaching in general, but also our extensive knowledge about “what keeps physicians up at night” and the research on physician well-being. Through feedback from our students and graduates, we continually refine our curriculum to provide the premier learning experience, aligning , these competencies are designed to guide coach education, training programs, and certification standards. They represent a pivotal step forward in shaping the future of physician coaching, aiming to alleviate burnout, enhance leadership capabilities, and improve overall physician well-being.
For those interested in delving deeper into this research, you can access the full article via this link.