Life Coaching for Physician Burnout

Overseen By YeonJung Yoo, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Disqualifiers: Previous life coaching, Psychotherapy

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 5 months

180 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Life Coaching, Professional Coaching, Personal Development Coaching for physician burnout?

Research shows that coaching can help reduce burnout and improve well-being among physicians. Studies have found that coaching interventions can effectively decrease burnout symptoms and enhance personal resources, suggesting that coaching is a promising approach for addressing physician burnout. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is life coaching safe for physicians experiencing burnout?

Research suggests that coaching, including life coaching, is generally safe for physicians and can improve well-being and reduce distress and burnout. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

How is life coaching different from other treatments for physician burnout?

Life coaching is unique because it focuses on empowering physicians to discover their own solutions and regain control over their lives, rather than providing direct advice or treating mental health conditions. It enhances self-awareness and aligns personal values with professional duties, drawing from positive psychology and mindfulness to reduce burnout and improve well-being. ^{2 10 11 12 13}

What is the purpose of this trial?

There is a widespread epidemic of distress and burnout (i.e., extreme distress) among Canadian physicians. Burnout is costly to physicians, patients, and healthcare organizations as it compromises physicians' own health and reduces their capacity to deliver high quality, safe care to patients. Life coaching delivered by certified coaches is a personal development tool. Life coaching has been proven to help individuals maximize their strengths and skills to handle stressors, regain control over their lives, act according to their core values, and achieve their full potential, consequently reducing their vulnerability to burnout. The investigators will evaluate life coaching for physicians' well-being in the current Canadian context. Physicians from centres in Canada will be randomly assigned to life coaching (intervention) or no coaching (control) group. The coaching group will receive a 1-hour initial coaching session followed by five 30-minute coaching sessions occurring at a frequency of every 2 to 3 weeks within 5 months (total of 3.5 coaching hours). All coaching sessions will be delivered virtually by certified life coaches. The investigators will assess the impact of coaching on physician distress and quality of life before and after the intervention.

Research Team

Sylvain Boet

Principal Investigator

The Ottawa Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for staff physicians, residents, or fellows currently practicing in Ontario, Canada. It's aimed at those who haven't had life coaching in the past 5 years and aren't undergoing psychotherapy. Francophone minority patients must sometimes consult in French with patients outside Quebec.

Inclusion Criteria

I sometimes have medical consultations entirely in French.

Currently practicing in Canada

Registered staff physician, resident, or fellow

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently undergoing psychotherapy.

Previously received life coaching in the last 5 years

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants in the coaching group receive a 1-hour initial coaching session followed by five 30-minute sessions over 5 months

5 months

6 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in distress, resilience, burnout, job empowerment, engagement, and satisfaction

5 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Life Coaching

Trial Overview The study tests if life coaching can improve well-being and reduce emotional distress among physicians. Participants will be randomly placed into two groups: one receiving virtual life coaching sessions and the other not receiving any coaching.

Participant Groups

Group I: Coaching Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the coaching group will receive a 1-hour initial professional coaching session followed by five 30-minute professional coaching sessions occurring at a goal frequency of every 2 to 3 weeks within 5 months (total of 3.5 coaching hours). All coaching sessions will be conducted individually (i.e. between one coach and one participant). Participants will be able to request coaching on any topic to individualize the intervention, but the general structure of the sessions will be standardized across participants. All coaching sessions will be performed over the phone or virtual web meeting as standard in coaching practices.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the control group will receive "no intervention" but will be asked to complete the distress and wellness survey at the same time points as participants in the intervention group. Participants in the control group will receive the life coaching intervention after the statistical analysis is completed.

Life Coaching is already approved in Canada, United States for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Life Coaching for:

• Physician burnout
• Distress reduction
• Well-being improvement

Approved in United States as Professional Coaching for:

• Physician burnout
• Emotional exhaustion reduction
• Quality of life improvement

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

585

Recruited

3,283,000+

Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Collaborator

Trials

19

Recruited

3,000+

University of Ottawa

Collaborator

Trials

231

Recruited

267,000+

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial with 80 surgeons showed that 6 months of professional coaching significantly reduced burnout by 5% and improved resilience scores by 2.2 points immediately after the intervention.

While the benefits of reduced burnout diminished over the following 6 months, resilience continued to improve, indicating that coaching may have lasting effects on personal resilience even after burnout levels return to baseline.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional Coaching and Surgeon Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Dyrbye, LN., Gill, PR., Satele, DV., et al.[2023]

A coaching intervention involving six sessions significantly reduced burn-out symptoms, such as exhaustion and cynicism, among 57 medical residents and specialists over approximately 10 months, compared to a control group that received no treatment.

Participants in the coaching program also reported increased personal resources, including psychological capital and self-compassion, highlighting the intervention's effectiveness in fostering resilience against burn-out.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Turning the tide: a quasi-experimental study on a coaching intervention to reduce burn-out symptoms and foster personal resources among medical residents and specialists in the Netherlands. Solms, L., van Vianen, A., Koen, J., et al.[2021]

Coaching by trained professionals has been shown to effectively improve physician well-being and reduce distress and burnout, based on evidence from 14 studies involving 1099 participants.

While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicated a lower risk of bias and demonstrated positive outcomes, non-randomized studies also suggested benefits but had limitations, highlighting the need for standardized reporting in future research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of coaching on physician wellness: A systematic review. Boet, S., Etherington, C., Dion, PM., et al.[2023]

A 9-month coaching program for women-identifying surgeons did not result in significant changes in burnout or professional fulfillment, as measured by various psychological scales, among the 57 participants who completed both pre- and post-study surveys.

However, coaches who experienced lower burnout at the end of the program met with their coachees more frequently, suggesting that engagement in coaching may be linked to better outcomes for the coaches themselves, warranting further investigation into the relationship between coaching frequency and burnout levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do Resident Coaching Programs Benefit their Coaches? Impact of a Professional Development Coaching Program on The Coaches. Merrill, AL., Stein, SL., Chu, JT., et al.[2023]

Comprehensive programs aimed at preventing physician burnout are becoming more common, focusing not just on reducing burnout but also on enhancing overall physician happiness and wellness.

These programs incorporate various strategies, such as measuring burnout levels, promoting workplace safety, optimizing compensation, and aligning individual and organizational goals, to create a supportive work environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LVIII: Promoting Physician Happiness and Wellness. Harolds, JA.[2021]

The 'Buddy Study' program, which includes a seminar and peer support for healthcare professionals after adverse events, received positive feedback from participants, with 91.6% satisfied with the seminar content and 69.1% feeling it helped them manage their emotional responses.

The program fostered a compassionate culture and attentiveness to colleagues' wellbeing, although it highlighted the need for ongoing support and visibility to maintain its effectiveness, suggesting that while valuable, peer support should complement other forms of support rather than replace them.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of'the Buddy Study', a peer support program for second victims in healthcare: a survey in two Danish hospital departments. Schrøder, K., Bovil, T., Jørgensen, JS., et al.[2022]

In a study of 249 residents and practicing physicians, it was found that supportive leadership and physician engagement significantly reduced the rate of adverse events related to patient safety, while high workload increased these events.

Burnout, particularly emotional exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement, was identified as a mediator that influences how work conditions affect the rate of adverse events, highlighting the importance of addressing burnout to improve patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hospital Work Conditions and the Mediation Role of Burnout: Residents and Practicing Physicians Reporting Adverse Events. Jarrar, M., Al-Bsheish, M., Albaker, W., et al.[2023]

Physicians involved in adverse events often experience emotional distress, which significantly increases their risk of burnout, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.90 for those affected.

Peer support is a crucial factor in reducing burnout among physicians after adverse events, as those who received such support had a lower risk of burnout (adjusted odds ratio of 0.65), highlighting the importance of fostering supportive environments in healthcare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multispecialty Physician Online Survey Reveals That Burnout Related to Adverse Event Involvement May Be Mitigated by Peer Support. Gupta, K., Rivadeneira, NA., Lisker, S., et al.[2023]

In a study of 838 health professionals in Colombia from 2017 to 2021, 33.8% reported experiencing adverse events, with 21.91% showing medium-high emotional overload and 3.53% experiencing extreme acute stress.

The risk of developing acute stress after an adverse event was found to be significant, with a prevalence ratio of 1.30, indicating that health institutions need to address this issue to improve care capacity and support their staff.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Stress in Health Workers in Colombia 2017-2021: A Cross-Sectional Study. Gonzalez Delgado, M., Cortes Gil, JD., Rodriguez Araujo, DL., et al.[2023]

Professional coaching can effectively address physician burnout by enhancing self-awareness and aligning personal values with professional duties, which is crucial given that 25-60% of physicians report experiencing burnout.

While the evidence base for coaching's efficacy is still developing, its theoretical foundations in positive psychology and mindfulness suggest it can help physicians regain a sense of accomplishment and purpose in their work.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician burnout: coaching a way out. Gazelle, G., Liebschutz, JM., Riess, H.[2021]

A leadership coaching program for surgical residents at a single academic medical center over 2.5 years involved 21 residents, focusing on structured leadership and communication training to enhance their skills and reduce burnout.

Common themes identified for coaching included improving communication, team integration, and balancing professional and personal responsibilities, with coaching sessions addressing these areas and introducing new topics like anxiety management and emotional intelligence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Leadership Coaching in Surgical Residency: Reasons for Referral and Topics Addressed to Improve Nontechnical Skill. Pepe, RJ., Diggs, L., Foley, FW., et al.[2023]

Mentoring and coaching significantly contribute to doctors' happiness and engagement at work, which can help prevent burnout.

Coaching promotes a healthier work-life balance and enhances emotional awareness, resilience, and a positive outlook, enabling doctors to better navigate challenges and find meaning in their work.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part XLIX: Mentoring, Coaching, and Burnout. Harolds, JA.[2019]

Coaching is proposed as a proactive solution to combat physician distress and burnout, focusing on helping physicians gain clarity and make decisions rather than treating mental health conditions.

While coaching has been effective in enhancing performance and reducing burnout in various sectors, it has not yet been systematically adopted in the medical field, suggesting a need for its integration into physician development programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional Coaching as a Continuing Professional Development Intervention to Address the Physician Distress Epidemic. Boet, S., Etherington, C., Andreas, C., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional Coaching and Surgeon Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Turning the tide: a quasi-experimental study on a coaching intervention to reduce burn-out symptoms and foster personal resources among medical residents and specialists in the Netherlands. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of coaching on physician wellness: A systematic review. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do Resident Coaching Programs Benefit their Coaches? Impact of a Professional Development Coaching Program on The Coaches. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LVIII: Promoting Physician Happiness and Wellness. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of'the Buddy Study', a peer support program for second victims in healthcare: a survey in two Danish hospital departments. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hospital Work Conditions and the Mediation Role of Burnout: Residents and Practicing Physicians Reporting Adverse Events. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multispecialty Physician Online Survey Reveals That Burnout Related to Adverse Event Involvement May Be Mitigated by Peer Support. [2023]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Stress in Health Workers in Colombia 2017-2021: A Cross-Sectional Study. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physician burnout: coaching a way out. [2021]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Leadership Coaching in Surgical Residency: Reasons for Referral and Topics Addressed to Improve Nontechnical Skill. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part XLIX: Mentoring, Coaching, and Burnout. [2019]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional Coaching as a Continuing Professional Development Intervention to Address the Physician Distress Epidemic. [2023]