COACHING SURGEONS AND EMERGENCY-ROOM PHYSICIANS

In this article I look at the rewards and challenges of coaching surgeons and emergency-room physicians. Members of this group of professionals are highly bright, talented, and insightful. Because they are respected leaders in their fields, they are not accustomed to discussing or showing their vulnerabilities; in fact, consulting with anyone about any difficulties may feel like a risk to their livelihood. They are also on a tight schedule with very little discretionary time to consult about any issues they may have. In this article I outline the educational and personal background that I bring to working with this extraordinary group of professionals, highlighting a side of them that hasn't typically been given consideration. I will then discuss what I consider best ways to work with them. Finally, I suggest next steps for how we can most effectively coach this group and perhaps lend them a hand in changing their culture.