The healthcare system thrives when physicians are supported to practice their best. While this seems obvious, our actions as a system don’t always reflect this understanding. I firmly believe that coaching should be more broadly embraced as a powerful tool to empower physicians, strengthen medical practices, enhance job satisfaction, and improve retention—key pillars of a sustainable and successful healthcare system.
To truly support physicians, health systems must go beyond acknowledging the problem and take meaningful action. One impactful investment is negotiating a coaching clause in employment contracts. A coaching clause demonstrates a system’s commitment to physician well-being by:
- Covering the cost of coaching services.
- Allocating time for coaching sessions.
- Providing a personal resource to drive professional and personal growth.
With physician coaching, you gain a dedicated partner to refine your skills, find your work-life rhythm, and maintain the resilience necessary to navigate the demands of medicine.
Take Action: Copy and paste this Physician Coaching Contract Clause to include in your next contract and start your journey toward meaningful growth and support.
Copy and Paste this Physician Coaching Contract Clause
Physician Coaching Contract Provision*
Professional Coaching Benefit. [The Health System/Employer] ___ agrees to cover up to $10,000 per year in costs for Professional Coaching Services for [the Physician] to enhance their performance, wellbeing, and career satisfaction (“Professional Coaching Benefit”). The parties shall review the Professional Coaching Benefit annually and adjust it as necessary to meet the Physician’s developmental needs. “Professional Coaching Services” are confidential sessions between Physician and a qualified, certified professional coach who specializes in healthcare or physician coaching (“Coach”) and who aims to assist Physician in areas including, but not exclusively, leadership, communication, resilience, stress management, career planning, and work-life balance and integration. Physician and Health System/Employer shall mutually agree on Coach and Physician’s proposed schedule for engaging in Professional Coaching Services before Physician begins Professional Coaching Services.
*Please review the proposed language with an attorney licensed in the state in which you will be working before adding this language to your employment agreement.
Benefits for the Physician
Sounding board? Confidant? Growth and success partner? Graduating from medical school and completing a residency doesn’t prepare you for all that you need in your professional life. All the onboarding, mentoring, and grit won’t get you through every challenge. How will you achieve YOUR goals and expectations? Adding a coaching clause to your contract demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional growth, showing your dedication to excellence for yourself, your team, and the health system.
Benefits for the Health System
When health systems allocate resources to coaching, they position themselves as forward-thinking and people-centered, reinforcing a culture that values individual well-being as much as productivity or “the bottom line.” This commitment to the physician and their professional growth leads to higher performance, improved retention rates, and increased physician satisfaction. It also signals to the broader community that the organization prioritizes its people, fostering a positive reputation and a loyal, high-performing medical team. Below the tip of this iceberg are all the benefits of quality, safe, and efficient patient care.
As you approach your next contract negotiation, consider advocating for a coaching clause as part of your employment benefits. It’s a tangible commitment to building a more sustainable career and a stronger healthcare system.
If you have a leadership or hiring role and you want a positive work culture, consider offering a coaching clause in your next hospital contract to bring joy, fulfillment, and professional success to your organization — an investment that pays dividends for everyone involved.
Contact SurgeonMasters! Our coaches are experienced physicians who are also professionally trained in coaching, and uniquely qualified to support you in achieving your goals with personalized, expert coaching.