Competencies for Those Who Coach Physicians: A Modified Delphi Study
Clinical question: What competencies are essential for coaching physicians effectively?
Background: Physician coaching is founded on a supportive approach that empowers individuals and organizations to develop essential skills for success in healthcare. Coaching for faculty and trainees is becoming an increasingly common practice in medicine to foster physician growth, optimize performance, enhance wellness, and reduce burnout. However, no consensus standards exist for competencies for those who coach physicians.
Study design: Modified Delphi consensus study
Setting: U.S. and Canada; expert panels and a survey of stakeholders in physician coaching
Synopsis: An expert panel developed a list of coaching competencies tailored to those who coach physicians, which was validated by 97 stakeholders through a structured Delphi process. The resulting 129 competencies span six domains: physician-specific coaching; healthcare context; coaching theory; diversity, equity, and inclusion; well-being; and leadership. Consensus exceeded 85% in all domains, highlighting broad agreement on the need for standardization in physician coaching.
Bottom line: Physician coaches may improve physician well-being, and this study establishes the first standardized competencies for those who coach physicians, offering a foundation for training, certification, and coach selection in healthcare.
Citation: Passarelli AM, et al. Competencies for those who coach physicians: a modified Delphi study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2024;99(5):782-794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2024.01.002.
Dr. Sankey is an associate professor of medicine, director of the Yale program in hospital medicine, co-firm chief of the Hospital Medicine Firm, and director of the resident elective in hospital medicine at Yale School of Medicine, all in New Haven, Conn.