Starting a new role is exhilarating and daunting. The transition brings new challenges and responsibilities—from patient care to mastering the complexities of a new office environment and personalities. While physicians excel in clinical skills, managing relationships with staff, understanding new systems, and handling the emotional demands of patient care can be overwhelming. Career transitions for a physician are inevitable, and whether we’re moving from medical school to residency, transitioning from training to practice, or switching from one practice to another, coaching facilitates a smoother transition for physicians into a new role and environment.
Navigating a New Environment
The coaching relationship affords physicians a supportive space and partner to navigate the new environment and “way of doing things.” Coaching sessions allow us to reflect on how we fit into the organizational culture and develop a personal style that reflects our values. With a new environment comes a new team, leadership dynamics, expectations, and support structures. This shift can create a sense of isolation and complexity in managing relationships. Coaching provides strategies to build and maintain positive, professional relationships with colleagues, ensuring a smoother transition.
Managing Challenging Emotions
Patient care is deeply personal and carries a significant emotional burden, as the responsibility for patient outcomes rests heavily on the physician’s shoulders. The pressure to perform at our best can feel overwhelming, especially when getting to know our colleagues and staff in a new location. We have high expectations for ourselves, and we rely on others to perform well so we can be at our best. The coaching relationship presents a safe space with a supportive colleague to help manage these emotions associated with patient care.
Developing Healthy Boundaries
It’s not easy for physicians to set boundaries in today’s healthcare environment. The pressure to say yes to every request from patients, colleagues, and organizations can quickly become overwhelming. Coaching equips physicians with the tools to more easily establish clear boundaries to support patient care but limit unnecessary disruption. Without proper boundaries, we introduce a greater risk of burnout before fully integrating into our new roles. Coaching helps develop proactive strategies to create and enjoy a fulfilling practice.
Coaching supports long-term career sustainability and satisfaction at various career stages. As an example, for mid-career physicians, the focus shifts from mastering clinical skills to adapting to new environments, collaborating with new teams, and finding success in new ventures. Coaching helps ask the right questions: How can I make this move successfully? How can I thrive in my new role? What are the unspoken expectations?
Physician coaching during career transitions lays the groundwork for a successful, satisfying, and sustainable career. By addressing the unique challenges that physicians face—whether it’s managing relationships, navigating the emotional landscape of patient care, or setting healthy boundaries—coaching ensures that physicians integrate into new roles effectively and efficiently.
Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC
I am a practicing Orthopaedic Traumatologist and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). I have more than 1,000 hours of one-on-one surgeon coaching experience and 500+ hours of International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited coach training. Through my personal experience and studies, I have developed The 8 PRACTICEs of Highly Successful Surgeons, a coaching methodology that addresses communication, leadership, time / life management, and more.