The use of coaching to enhance students' learning, self-efficacy and performance in endodontics

The positive effects of coaching on enhancing performance and development within sport have been well recognized over the past 40 years. More recently, the beneficial effects of utilizing a coaching approach upon learning have been recognized in the commercial world and, increasingly, in education. The potential of using a coaching approach within medical education has been investigated, with observed improvements in performance, academic success, resilience, professional identity and self-efficacy - all of which are important in the development of clinicians. Endodontic education and training, whether undergraduate or postgraduate, aim to prepare clinicians to undertake high-quality endodontic care for patients. To achieve this, the student needs to have the capability to perform the appropriate level of endodontic treatments, but also the confidence and self-efficacy to execute those treatments, where self-efficacy contributes to how successful their performances will be. This paper outlines the sources and development of self-efficacy and describes how a coaching approach can be used to enhance students' skills acquisition and performance, both during clinical teaching sessions and in their periodic development reviews.