Purpose The Professional Development Coaching Program (PDCP) is a physician coaching program founded on the principles of positive psychology that has been shown to improve burnout and well-being in residents. The experience of the physician faculty coaches is not well understood. We studied the impact of a longitudinal coaching intervention on the experience of coaches. Methods From 2017 to 2019, faculty from Surgery, Pediatrics, and Medicine at an academic medical center participated as coaches in the PDCP. Coaches underwent training in positive psychology and coaching skills and coached trainees for one or two years. Surveys were performed at baseline, after 1 year (EOY-1), and after 2 years of coaching (EOY-2). Outcomes include burnout and professional fulfillment (Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index), well-being (PERMA), and experience with coaching skills. Surveys from each timepoint were paired and analyzed through bivariate analyses and multivariate linear regression. Results Of the 136 coaches who participated, 44% submitted sufficient data for paired analysis. There was no change from pre-to post-in primary outcomes on bivariate analysis. On linear regression, burnout and PERMA scores declined from baseline but did not change from EOY-1 to EOY-2. Coaches reported increased coping skills on EOY surveys compared to baseline. Confidence with coping skills was associated with low burnout, high professional fulfillment, and high PERMA. Conclusions These findings create a profile of physician coaches and demonstrate both the benefits and changes in burnout and well-being that they experience. Larger studies with comparison groups can further explore the effects of coaching on the coach.
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