Best DOCS, Tired DOCS,
WHERE DO YOU BELONG?

I believe that the current medico-legal, managed care system has changed the way physicians practice medicine. I know that frustration, dissatisfaction, and burnout amongst doctors are at an all-time high and that YOU, as physicians, are feeling “It”.

Please note: As you will see in this article “It” can mean many different things. The meaning of “It” is your definition. The task is for you to determine what “It” is. For example, “It” could mean too much time at the office, too many hospital meetings, not enough time with the family, no alone time for your self, or others.
Caring for others has always been the hallmark of the medical profession. But, as physicians, are you caring for yourselves as well as you need to? Often, many of the original personality strengths that helped you achieve medical school acceptance and subsequent success as physicians, can be the same characteristics that lead to problems later in life. The never-ending and ever-stressful demands of always being responsible, available, conscientious and “perfect” can take their toll. Life and death issues, the critical need to be current, proactive, professionally reactive, and clinically competent, as well as the responsibility for ever increasing costs of business, management of self, staff and all other stakeholders involved in your practice keep physicians on high alert most of the time. The ability to turn “It” on and off as needed, with the resilience necessary to sustain “It” indefinitely, often leads to chronic fatigue. As these stressors and others are experienced over a prolonged period of time, even the most ardent feel the weight of “It”.

While feeling some effects, most physicians have the resiliency to overcome these obstacles, most of the time. Those that have begun to feel the burdens and are starting to succumb to the pressures often will dig down a little deeper and try a little harder, knowing that these increased efforts have worked for them in the past, now believing that this too shall pass. This works for some. If, however, the above now includes personal denial to cover fear, an unresponsive support system, and unrealistic expectations that, as doctor, you must always be in charge and in control, your ability to maintain balance can substantially decrease.

Does Any of “It” Sound Familiar? If Yes, Please Read On.
As mentioned, these are the anticipated stressors, the ones you knew about and volunteered for when you entered the medical profession. Now add the unanticipated stressors, including: ever-changing government regulations, third party intrusions, sky-rocketing malpractice premiums and litigation, pressure to practice defensive medicine, changing doctor-patient relationships, decreased compensation and you have a system in chaos and
a stressed, often alone, self that has to manage “It”. Nevertheless, you still want to be a doctor, because “It” truly is your calling.
Enough of the stressors.
We can now switch to your strengths and abilities and some positive opportunities for change.

Thankfully, Professional Development Business Coaching is Available to bring Medical Practitioners, their Associates and Staff positive alternatives and much-needed, permanent relief to many of those troubling “Its”. Your Professional Development Business Coach believes that YOU are the expert who lives, works and knows more than anyone else in the whole world about “It”: your practice, your life, your strengths, your stressors, your concerns, your business / personal / relationship “Its”. When fully honest with yourself and others, you know you are both your single greatest ally and detractor.

YOU KNOW THE STATISTICS:
ONE OUT OF EVERY TWO OF YOU READING THIS ARTICLE FEELS “STUCK”,
WANTS “It” TO BE DIFFERENT, AND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT “It”!

The Following Might Benefit You Or Someone You Care About.
You know, that “You” and “It” have changed, and at times, you feel “Stuck” because of “It”. You know that, at this time, you have not crossed the line, you do not need psychotherapy and, you are not spiritually bereft. You, however, would love to have a confidential, professional relationship with someone who treats you with the dignity you deserve, without you having to volunteer for a mental health diagnosis or having to have an open file with an insurance company that is scrutinizing your private issues. You privately long to have someone to confide in at a truly personal professional level, someone who will understand, empathize and figure “It” out with you, safely getting down to the very heart of those issues that concern you most. Coaching provides you with such an opportunity and alternative, but first you need to want to do something about “It”. In fact, you really need to want to want to do something about “It” before anything substantial can happen!

So, Do You Want Some Help With “It”?
Being a Professional Personal Development Business Coach requires special training and a great deal of objectivity, empathy and intuitiveness. Your coach must stand ready to help you protect the integrity of your personal, professional and business life.

Coaching is for the “healthy”, not for the “diagnostically impaired”. Under most circumstances, your issues are normal reactions to real stress and are signs of true dedication and system overload, not personal weakness, failure, or pathology. Coaches focus on your strengths, abilities, and willingness to do something about “It”, rather than focusing on your deficiencies and your past. Your coach helps you with your issues of concern, your agenda not theirs, while respecting your strengths, knowledge and expertise. By trusting your abilities and ensuring that you take full responsibility and control of your business, your coach empowers you, your staff and your significant stakeholders by providing appropriate training, planning and support. You are provided more than a series of recommendations. Your personal coach empowers you throughout the process, to implement and maintain what you have learned, providing you and your team with the follow through and support, necessary for success. The final responsibility rests with you but you do not have to do “It” alone. Your Empowerment Team Can Help You.

Are You Ready To Do Something About “It”?
Coaches are Professional Practitioners, who like you, diagnose before prescribing. Usually in about one hour or less, your coach will help you identify your concerns and determine whether or not coaching is appropriate for you and then discuss “in theory”, how you can proceed. Of course, the remedial process takes longer than an hour. In order to find out if you can benefit from coaching, you are encouraged to SAMPLE “It” to FIND OUT for yourself!

Sometimes admitting that you need a Coach can be just what the Doctor ordered!
Got One?

Article written by:
Dr. Grossman, a.k.a. Dr. I WannaWanna
Professional Development Business Coach