Category Archives: physician communication

Communicating care and concern – in the blink of a patient visit: how physicians can make the most of their time

Recently, I visited a friend in the hospital.  As her condition improved, the nursing staff suggested it was time to discuss discharge planning and called the social worker to make the necessary arrangements .  The social worker entered the room,  remaining close to … Continue reading

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Take a moment to listen to the voice of success: a physician coach listens and learns

As someone who loves to learn, I have gotten myself into many periods of overwhelm as I take on more things than I have time to deal with. Most recently, I signed up for a training I was really excited … Continue reading

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Compassion: a simple way to a more peaceful life – a physician coach’s choice

As I walked through a parking garage the other day, a very surprising thing happened. This garage isn’t well designed – there is barely enough space for cars to drive in and out and some of the parking spots are pretty tight.  The driver … Continue reading

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Medicine by Committee – physicians and patients creating solutions together

I recently filled in for a friend who teaches at a medical school. The curriculum that day focused on professional ethics and the power differential that usually exists between us and our patients. One student asked if physicians needed to … Continue reading

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The examined life – happier and less stressful! A physician coach takes the seat of observer

Mounds of dirt. Beeping trucks. Parking blocks away from our house. No water. This was our reality for months as our street was torn up, day after day, in order to replace the sewer line. When I turned on the water … Continue reading

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Don’t quit: advice from a physician coach

A friend recently shared with me a story from her karate days. As she and her cohort began to feel frustrated that they remained brown belts, their black belt still elusive, their instructor gathered them together in a somewhat conspiratorial … Continue reading

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Which me is needed here?

As a physician, I’m often asked by family and friends to advise them, or at least to explain what might be happening with their health or in their interactions with medical professionals. It usually feels good to use my experience … Continue reading

Posted in effective communication in healthcare, first impressions, mindfulness, physician coach, physician coaching, physician communication, physician fulfillment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What do you really want? The most important question a physician coach can ask

I often remember one particular conversation with a medical school classmate. It was early in our training and we were all trying to get to know each other better so he asked, “What do you like to do?” The answer … Continue reading

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How can I make this easy? Physician coaching for the overburdened!

There is a great story (I don’t know if it’s true, but it’s still a good story) that the early astronauts found that pens didn’t work well in outer space.  Just like when we hold a pen with the tip … Continue reading

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A Powerful RX

Recently I had the pleasure of hearing Mark Tercek, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, speak at the meeting of the American Medical Women’s Association (check it out http://www.amwa-doc.org).  He laughed as he explained that people often find his career path … Continue reading

Posted in building relationship with patients, mindfulness, physician coach, physician coaching, physician communication, physician fulfillment, physician work life balance, work life balance | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment