Learning as a Senior Doctor
11 July 2012
The idea of coaching for Doctors can seem a bit strange. They are highly educated and well trained over many years; surely they are finished with learning? The trouble is, at some point in a medics’ career (often when first joining a GP practice as a partner or getting that first consultant post in a hospital) they might begin to realise that their professional performance goes way beyond being a great clinician.
During UK speciality training Doctors do have the chance to learn and develop their non-clinical skills in team-working, communication and leading others for example. But evolving skills and learning from experience whilst on the job as a senior clinician is different. Cast off from training programmes I think sometimes Doctors can feel adrift when the realities of leadership styles, group dynamics and internal politics start to play a bigger role in their working life.
What I seem to be working with currently with Doctors is supporting them to develop personal style, qualities, attributes and skills as a leader and manager once past CCT. It works, and adds value, as one of my medics said to me last week -
I was a bit cynical at first thinking, what could she teach me? I now realise it is a lot. GP East Midlands
