Coaching for Surgeons: A Scoping Review of the Quantitative Evidence

Abstract

Objective: To characterize quantitative studies on coaching interventions for professional surgeons to understand how surgical coaching is defined; examine how different coaching programs are designed, implemented, and evaluated; and identify any relevant research gaps. Background: Surgical coaching is gaining attention as an approach that could help surgeons optimize performance and improve overall wellbeing. However, surgical coaching programs and definitions of coaching vary widely between studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR framework to identify studies and registered clinical trials written in English. Original quantitative studies on coaching interventions for professional surgeons were included. Characteristics of the coachees, coaching programs, study designs, outcomes, and findings were charted and analyzed. Results: From 2589 references, 8 studies (6 published; 2 registered trials) met inclusion criteria. Published studies targeted technical or nontechnical skills, included 2–26 surgeons as coachees, and used coaches who were surgeons. Two studies demonstrated that surgeons react positively to coaching. Studies showed inconsistent effects on technical/nontechnical skills. Only two studies measured patient adverse events and reported no significant positive impacts. The registered randomized trials targeted surgeons’ physiological parameters or wellbeing and used professional coaches. These trials measure surgeon and patient outcomes. Conclusions: There is an emerging interest in coaching programs to improve surgeons’ performance by targeting their professional skills and personal factors. However, more randomized trials are needed to evaluate the impact of coaching interventions on patient outcomes and surgeon wellness.

Continued Performance Improvement—What Practicing Surgeons Can Learn From Athletes

“…When considering elite athletes, coaching is one of the first performance-enhancing approaches that comes to mind. While mentoring often naturally occurs among surgeons, structured coaching is not routinely practiced . Surgical coaching differs from typical athletic coaching as it involves a nonhierarchical relationship between an individual surgeon and a trained coach, who can be a surgeon or a nonsurgeon professional.…”

“…Recently, nonprofit organizations, such as The Academy for Surgical Coaching (https://surgicalcoaching.org), have promoted a theoretical framework for surgical coaching and provide specific training for coaches. Several well-structured peer-coaching programs implemented in North America have demonstrated that surgical coaching is well accepted and could have benefits for technical and nontechnical skills . In addition, coaching can help individuals achieve personal goals related to work-life balance and well-being.…”

“…The coaching process involves setting personalized goals, providing objective feedback, and self-assessment, which ultimately empower the surgeon to find strategies to improve not only professional skills but also physical and mental capacities. 2 Although coaching is gaining attention in the domain of surgery, the implementation of coaching programs remains inconsistent in the literature. 3 Recently, nonprofit organizations, such as The Academy for Surgical Coaching (https://surgicalcoaching.org), have promoted a theoretical framework for surgical coaching and provide specific training for coaches.…”

“…Several wellstructured peer-coaching programs implemented in North America have demonstrated that surgical coaching is well accepted and could have benefits for technical and nontechnical skills. 2 In addition, coaching can help individuals achieve personal goals related to work-life balance and well-being. Therefore, professional coaching could be particularly adapted to helping surgeons achieve peak performance without pushing themselves to burnout, especially when combined with feedback, recuperation, and preparation.…”

“…While mentoring often naturally occurs among surgeons, structured coaching is not routinely practiced. 2 Surgical coaching differs from typical athletic coaching as it involves a nonhierarchical relationship between an individual surgeon and a trained coach, who can be a surgeon or a nonsurgeon professional. The coaching process involves setting personalized goals, providing objective feedback, and self-assessment, which ultimately empower the surgeon to find strategies to improve not only professional skills but also physical and mental capacities.…”