How Coaching Helps Healthcare Professionals Facing Burnout & Imposter Syndrome
Sonja Cronjé
March 11, 2025
Inside the Article:
Why Coaching Matters in Healthcare
Healthcare is built on expertise, precision, and care – but it’s also one of the most demanding careers. Long hours under intense pressure, growing administrative burdens, career transitions, an ever-evolving healthcare system, and the emotional weight of patient care all add up.
Burnout rates among doctors and healthcare professionals are at an all-time high, with research showing that nearly 50% of physicians experience symptoms of burnout. Stress, exhaustion, and self-doubt are common, particularly during career transitions such as stepping into leadership roles or navigating post-training uncertainty.
Yet, professional development in healthcare has traditionally focused on clinical skills, leaving little room for the human side of the profession – confidence, decision-making, leadership, and work-life integration. These are critical skills, but they’re rarely taught in medical training. That’s where professional coaching comes in.
Coaching provides structured, evidence-based support tailored for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals – not just to navigate immediate challenges, but to foster long-term growth and resilience.
For healthcare professionals who feel stretched thin, coaching offers a proactive, confidential space to reflect, set goals, and develop strategies to thrive – not just survive – in their careers.
What is Professional Coaching?
Professional coaching is a structured, goal-oriented process designed to help individuals maximise their potential. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential."
Unlike traditional training or advisory roles, coaching is not about giving answers. Instead, it’s about helping individuals uncover their own insights, develop strategies, and take action toward meaningful goals.
How Coaching Differs from Mentoring, Therapy, and Training
While coaching shares similarities with other forms of professional development, it is distinct in its approach:
Coaching vs. Mentoring – A mentor typically offers guidance based on their own experiences, often within the same field. A coach, on the other hand, takes a non-directive approach – rather than providing solutions, a coach helps clients explore their own options and make informed decisions.
Coaching vs. Therapy – Therapy focuses on emotional healing and addressing past experiences, often dealing with psychological distress. Coaching is future-focused, working with individuals who are functioning well, but want to enhance performance, confidence, or leadership skills.
Coaching vs. Training – Training provides structured content and standardised knowledge. Coaching is personalised and dynamic, adapting to an individual’s specific challenges and goals rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions.
Professional coaching unlocks potential and fosters growth by providing healthcare professionals with a confidential, structured space to reflect, develop skills, and set actionable goals. It supports them in navigating demanding careers – not just in clinical practice, but in leadership and life.
Benefits of a Personalised, Action-Focused Approach
Coaching works best when it’s tailored to the individual – aligning with career goals, work-life integration, and personal growth.
A practical, action-focused approach helps to:
Encourage self-reflection – Recognising strengths and pinpointing areas for growth.
Create accountability – Regular coaching sessions provide structure and keep progress on track.
Build confidence – Clear goals give individuals a sense of direction and control over their development.
This personalised approach helps healthcare professionals navigate workplace pressures more effectively while enhancing overall job satisfaction.
Benefits of Coaching for Healthcare Professionals
Professional coaching is gaining traction among healthcare professionals as a powerful, research-backed tool. The proven benefits of coaching demonstrate a significant impact on both personal and professional growth.
Managing Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence
Many highly skilled healthcare professionals and medical students struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, questioning whether they truly deserve their success.
In a demanding profession where decisions can have life-altering consequences, maintaining self-belief is essential. Professional coaching can help individuals to reframe negative self-talk and self-doubt, recognise their achievements, and overcome imposter syndrome.
A JAMA Network Open study evaluated a six-month coaching program for female resident physicians and found significant reductions in emotional exhaustion and imposter syndrome, along with increased self-compassion.
Managing Burnout and Well-being
Burnout is a critical issue in healthcare, with half of doctors experiencing symptoms such as emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation.
A 2019 randomised clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that physicians who participated in a six-month coaching program reported significantly lower levels of emotional exhaustion and burnout, as well as improved quality of life compared to those who did not.
A systematic review in PLOS One also highlighted coaching’s role in reducing burnout and improving physician well-being.
Coaching supports resilience, self-awareness, and work-life integration, helping healthcare professionals set healthy boundaries, and manage stress more effectively.
Enhancing Leadership Skills
Many healthcare professionals find themselves in leadership roles without formal training in communication, team management, or decision-making. Coaching provides tailored support to help doctors and healthcare leaders develop and hone their leadership skills, manage teams effectively, and navigate the complexities of leading in a high-pressure environment.
Unlike traditional leadership training, coaching is personalised, allowing leaders to address their unique challenges and strengths.
Building Effective Professional Relationships
Strong communication and teamwork are essential in healthcare, but managing professional relationships – especially in high-stakes environments – can be challenging. Coaching supports conflict resolution, difficult conversations, and collaboration, equipping healthcare professionals with the skills to navigate interpersonal challenges and build positive working relationships.
Career Transitions and Growth
Whether stepping into a new clinical role, pursuing a leadership position, or exploring non-clinical career pathways, coaching helps healthcare professionals clarify their goals, assess their options, and develop a strategic plan for growth.
Beyond tackling immediate challenges, coaching supports long-term career development and professional fulfilment.
As research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of coaching, it is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for healthcare professionals seeking to navigate their careers with greater confidence, resilience, and clarity.
What to Look for in a Professional Coach
Choosing the right professional coach can significantly impact your coaching experience and outcomes. With the growing recognition of coaching in healthcare, it's essential to understand what to look for in a qualified coach to ensure a beneficial partnership.
The Importance of Choosing a Qualified, Accredited Coach
When choosing a professional coach, start by verifying their qualifications and accreditation. Look for coaches accredited by reputable organisations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which sets high standards for training and ethical guidelines. Working with an accredited coach who uses evidence-based methods is more likely to lead to meaningful results.
Choosing a Doctor or a Non-Doctor Coach
One common dilemma healthcare professionals face when seeking coaching is whether to work with a coach who has a medical background or one from a different field. Both options offer valuable benefits.
A doctor-coach understands the unique pressures of clinical practice and can offer insights from firsthand experience within the healthcare system.
A non-doctor coach, especially one with deep knowledge of the healthcare sector, brings fresh perspectives, diverse strategies, and a broader understanding of leadership and personal development – often helping clients see challenges in new and innovative ways.
What matters most is finding a coach who understands the language, culture, and complexities of healthcare while aligning with your specific needs. The right coach – regardless of background – is someone you feel comfortable working with and who can support your growth effectively.
The Role of Trust and Rapport in Effective Coaching
Building a strong relationship of trust and rapport with your coach is essential to the coaching process. Research consistently shows that the quality of the coaching relationship – rather than any specific model or technique – is the key factor in achieving positive outcomes. A coach who creates a psychologically safe space encourages open, honest discussions about challenges, self-doubt, and aspirations.
In What Works in Executive Coaching, Erik de Haan highlights that effective coaching is less about structured methodologies and more about a coach’s ability to foster trust and genuine connection with their client.
In short, it's crucial to find a qualified coach who listens attentively, understands your professional world, and challenges you in a supportive and constructive way.
Common Questions About Coaching for Healthcare Professionals
Are Coaching Conversations Confidential?
Yes. Professional coaches adhere to ethical guidelines that protect client privacy. ICF-accredited coaches follow strict confidentiality rules, allowing open, honest discussions about challenges and goals.
What Can I Expect During a Coaching Conversation?
A coaching conversation is a structured, yet flexible dialogue designed to help you gain clarity, explore challenges, and take actionable steps toward your goals. It’s not about giving advice or telling you what to do – instead, it’s a collaborative process guided by thought-provoking questions, deep listening, reflective exercises, and practical strategies.
You can expect a confidential, judgment-free space to unpack concerns, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop personalised solutions. Whether you are navigating imposter syndrome, refining leadership skills, or managing work-life integration, each session is tailored to your needs, ensuring you leave with greater confidence and a clear path forward.
Can Coaching Count Towards CPD Points?
In many cases, yes. The Medical Board of Australia requires doctors to engage in continuing professional development (CPD) activities relevant to their scope of practice. Depending on your specialty and CPD home, professional coaching may be eligible under categories such as reflective practice, professional development, or leadership training. It’s always best to check with your college or CPD home to confirm eligibility and ensure proper documentation of your coaching engagement.
Is Coaching Tax-deductible?
Self-education expenses – including courses, workshops, and coaching – may be claimable if directly related to maintaining or improving skills required in your current job. However, if coaching is more general in nature (e.g., career transition support or personal development), it may not qualify. Always check with a tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.
Will Coaching Guarantee Results?
Coaching is a client-driven process, and its success depends more on your engagement, commitment, and willingness to apply what you learn than on the coach alone. A coach provides structure, accountability, and evidence-based strategies, but ultimately, real change happens through the actions you take.
Many healthcare professionals experience significant improvements in confidence, decision-making, and work-life integration, but coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution – outcomes vary based on individual effort and application.
How to Invest in Your Professional Growth
Professional coaching offers a unique and valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals to navigate career challenges, enhance leadership skills, and build confidence in a demanding industry.
Whether you’re looking to manage imposter syndrome, develop your leadership abilities, or create more work-life harmony, coaching provides a structured, confidential, and evidence-based space to gain clarity and take meaningful action.
Investing in your growth isn’t just about professional advancement – it’s about creating a career that is both fulfilling and sustainable. Coaching can help you shift from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to making intentional choices that align with your values and long-term goals.
If you’re curious about how coaching could support your career and personal development, consider booking a discovery call with me. It’s a chance to explore whether coaching is the right fit for you – no pressure, just a conversation about your needs and aspirations.
Taking this first step could be the start of a more confident, balanced, and rewarding professional journey in healthcare.