Coaching for the Orthopedic Surgery Leader
Key findings
- Orthopedic surgeons are currently at risk of being overwhelmed by rapid changes in healthcare delivery, staffing shortages arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased pressure to raise the surgical volume and provide near-flawless patient outcomes
- Coaching can help surgeons improve their clinical skills, prevent or alleviate burnout, improve resiliency, refine their leadership skills, and recommit to continuous improvement
- Coaching can be led by a professional coach or peer and involve two or more participants; each variation has its own benefits and learning opportunities
Today's ever-changing healthcare landscape is demanding, especially for orthopedic surgery. Surgeons are dealing with substantial decreases in reimbursement, the need for prior authorization, pressure to increase surgical volume, culture change initiatives, structural reorganization, and more.
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Further, there are expectations that orthopedic surgeons be always available, provide near-flawless results to patients and resolve or adapt to all changes in the system. All of this occurs within the context of competing personal needs and family responsibilities that comprise the work-life balance.
David N. Bernstein, MD, MBA, MEI, of the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program (HCORP), and Kevin J. Bozic, MD, MBA, former HCORP resident and current president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgons (AAOS), recently discussed coaching as a valuable tool for orthopedic surgeons who seek to continue performing at their best. They published their suggestions in Clinics in Sports Medicine.
Types of Coaching
The authors distinguish between two types of coaching:
- Individual coaching is popular for business leaders and typically involves meeting with a professional "outsider" who has broad-based expertise in optimizing personal and professional performance; most professional coaches aren't necessarily knowledgeable about their client's specific company or industry, but can guide conversations about opening up opportunities and removing barriers to progress
- Peer-to-peer coaching focuses on interactions between individuals who are at approximately the same stage and position in their career and don't have authority over each other; the value of peer-to-peer coaching hinges in great part on the "insider" knowledge the individuals share, and their mutual understanding of current pressures and practices within the organization or profession
Purposes of Coaching
A coach isn't to be confused with a teacher (who usually offers one-way knowledge transfer) or a mentor (who offers broad guidance that can be instructional), and most clinical coaching is not meant be remedial.
Coaching fosters dialogue to help the "coachee" arrive at their own solutions. Often a coaching relationship can be reciprocal, especially in peer-to-peer relationships. A peer coach can nonjudgmentally help a surgeon reflect deeply on challenging cases, technical "tips and tricks," and patient outcomes, and the coach and "coachee" can collaborate to correct any underlying issues.
Coaching can also:
- Prevent or alleviate burnout
- Improve resiliency
- Develop and refine leadership skills
- Reignite a passion for continuous improvement
Who Can Benefit?
All orthopedic surgeons are leaders at various levels and stages in their careers. At a minimum, orthopedic surgeons are leaders in their practices, operating rooms, and patient care teams.
For surgeons who lead divisions, departments, practices, and/or national or international professional associations and societies, peer coaching can be just as valuable. Few colleagues have navigated the challenges these individuals face, and the ability to share experiences openly with a trusted confidant can lead to tremendous personal and institutional progress.
Finally, interacting as "equals" can create a sense of camaraderie among two or more peers—and perhaps lead to friendships that serve as another bulwark against burnout and poor physical health.
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Learn more about the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program
Learn more about the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Mass General