To employ a positive psychology coaching program intervention among neurology faculty and trainees with aims to (1) improve coping skills, (2) improve perception of personal and professional roles and relationships, (3) decrease burnout, and (4) increase self-compassion

Physician burnout has been linked to increased medical errors, lower productivity, higher mortality rates, high physician turnover, physician depression, suicidal ideation, and alcohol/substance abuse.

Professional coaching investigates individual and collective perceptions, beliefs, and habits, or culture. Coaching is a highly effective tool in reducing burnout and other markers of poor wellbeing in physicians. Physician coaching has been shown to increase success, prevent burnout, and improve overall wellness among practicing physicians.   

This is a single-institution program evaluation project involving a longitudinal faculty and trainee coaching program. Coaching will be led by a CU faculty who is a professionally certified life coach. We will recruit a convenience sample of faculty members from the Department of Neurology.  Weekly faculty coaching program will last up to six months. The neurology trainee group coaching program will consist of monthly group coaching session for twelve months. The program will establish a framework and shared understanding of the tenants and framework of professional coaching and will progress with time to deeper and richer coaching. 

Prior to the start of the coaching intervention, participants will complete pre-intervention MBI and SCS scales. These scales will be repeated at the conclusion of the program.  

Our overall goal is to improve  wellness for our neurology faculty and trainees in a measurable, tangible manner, thereby increasing career satisfaction and performance, and improve faculty retention in our department.