Coaching the Caregivers: A Burnout Intervention for Military Physicians and Medical Students

Introduction: Burnout results from chronic stress, consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased personal accomplishment. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of coaching on physician burnout in military obstetrician gynecologists (OB/GYNs). Methods: This was an IRB-approved observational study of coaching for military OB/GYN physicians and students. Physicians and medical students were assigned to attend six virtual group coaching sessions over three months with professional coaches. Coaching groups were organized by level of training. Participants completed surveys (Maslach Burnout Survey for Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) with Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS)) at baseline and following coaching. A latent profile analysis (LPA) used MBI scores to identify burnout profiles in dimensions of depersonalization (DP), emotional exhaustion (EE), and personal accomplishment (PA). Statistical analysis included paired t-test, and chi squared analyses. Results: 59 participants completed coaching and surveys from August–October 2024. There were no significant differences in MBI scores pre- and post-coaching. LPA identified three profiles: (a) low DP, low EE, high PA, (b) low DP, moderate EE, high PA, (c) high DP, high EE, high PA. When analyzed on MBI definitions, those with a burnout profile (high DP and high EE) had significant improvements in workload, control, and fairness scores on the AWS following coaching (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A professional coaching intervention in military OB/GYN physicians with a burnout profile was associated with significant improvements in workload, control and fairness. Professional coaching may positively impact clinicians, particularly those experiencing burnout, and has the potential to improve retention of the workforce.