The Landscape of Pediatric Residency Coaching Programs in the United States

Coaching is a growing approach within graduate medical educatin for clinical and professional development. Little is known about the variation in the goals and implementation of residency coaching programs nationally. We describe the current national landscape of coaching programs across pediatric residencies, including program goals, barriers, and facilitators to coaching program implementation.

In September to October 2022, we conducted a deidentified national cross-sectional, web-based survey of pediatric residency program directors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis.

In total, 46% (84/183) pediatric residency program directors responded; 40% (34/84) reported currently having a coaching program; and 27% (23/84) were considering program development. Most programs coached residents at multiple training levels, with first-year residents most commonly coached. Attending physicians served as coaches in most programs (79%, 27/34), while 41% (14/34) utilize residents, fellows, or nonphysicians as coaches. The top goals of coaching programs included skill development in professionalism (74%, 25/34), communication (68%, 23/34), clinical care (65%, 22/34), well-being (59%, 20/34), and remediation (50%, 17/34). Programs perceived multiple benefits of coaching, including enhancement of resident performance, growth mindset promotion, support for struggling residents, community-building, and increased resident and faculty engagement. Barriers to coaching program implementation included time, funding, faculty buy-in, professional development needs, and burnout.

Coaching is an emerging approach to promoting trainee development, with at least 30% of pediatrics residency programs either currently employing or considering future coaching program development. Residency programs perceived benefits for both residents and faculty in skill development, sense of community, and engagement.