Episode 143: Evidence that coaching decreases burnout and imposter syndrome with Drs. Tyra Fainstad and Adrienne Mann

Summary


This episode discusses a program called Better Together Physician Coaching, created by Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Feinstad. The program aims to address burnout, imposter syndrome, and other well-being issues faced by medical professionals through group coaching sessions, self-study modules, and one-on-one coaching opportunities. The program is offered to entire populations within institutions or departments, with participants able to join confidentially. The founders share their personal experiences with burnout and how coaching transformed their lives, leading them to create Better Together. They conducted studies, including a randomized controlled trial with over 1,000 residents, which demonstrated significant improvements in burnout, imposter syndrome, and self-compassion scores among participants. The program is now available to medical students, residents, faculty, staff, and advanced practice providers across various institutions. The article highlights the program's accessibility, with institutions paying a fee of $100 per eligible MD/DO/AP and $60 per eligible trainee for a year of access. The founders aim to partner with institutions to drive cultural change and prioritize well-being investments. They also discuss the program's flexibility, allowing participants to engage in various ways, and the sense of community it fosters despite being virtual. Future plans include continuing to partner with institutions, conducting further research, and expanding the program's offerings.


Chapters


Introduction to Better Together Physician Coaching
The article introduces Dr. Adrienne Mann and Dr. Tyra Feinstad, the founders of Better Together Physician Coaching, a program aimed at addressing burnout, imposter syndrome, and other well-being issues faced by medical professionals. The program offers group coaching sessions, self-study modules, and one-on-one coaching opportunities.


Personal Experiences and Motivation

Dr. Mann and Dr. Feinstad share their personal experiences with burnout and how coaching transformed their lives, leading them to create Better Together. They discuss the challenges they faced, such as feeling disconnected from their roles and struggling with approval addiction, and how coaching helped them regain a sense of self and balance.

Program Structure and Accessibility

The article explains that Better Together is offered to entire populations within institutions or departments, with participants able to join confidentially. The program is accessible, with institutions paying a fee of $100 per eligible MD/DO/AP and $60 per eligible trainee for a year of access. The founders aim to make coaching affordable and available to the masses.


Research and Impact
The article discusses the research conducted by the founders, including a randomized controlled trial with over 1,000 residents. The study demonstrated significant improvements in burnout, imposter syndrome, and self-compassion scores among participants. The founders also mention ongoing research and plans to continue investigating the program's impact on various populations.


Institutional Partnerships and Cultural Change
The founders emphasize the importance of partnering with institutions to drive cultural change and prioritize well-being investments. They aim to engage with stakeholders at various levels, such as CMOs and deans, to promote understanding of the program's necessity and impact.


Program Flexibility and Community
The article highlights the program's flexibility, allowing participants to engage in various ways, such as group coaching calls, written coaching, self-study modules, and one-on-one sessions. Despite being virtual, the program fosters a sense of community among participants, which the founders believe is crucial for its success.


Future Plans and Expansion
The founders discuss their future plans for Better Together, including continuing to partner with institutions, conducting further research, and expanding the program's offerings. They aim to leverage the wealth of data and insights gathered from participants to inform the well-being sphere and drive positive change in the medical field.


Action Items
1. Reach out to Better Together Physician Coaching to inquire about partnering with the program for your institution or medical group
2. Consider implementing the Better Together Physician Coaching program to address burnout, imposter syndrome, and well-being issues among medical professionals within your organization
3. Explore opportunities to prioritize well-being investments and drive cultural change by engaging with stakeholders at various levels, such as CMOs and deans, to promote understanding of the program's necessity and impact
4. Encourage medical professionals within your organization to participate in the Better Together Physician Coaching program, as it offers a flexible and confidential approach to addressing well-being challenges through group coaching, self-study modules, and one-on-one coaching opportunities